Ten individuals, dubbed the 'grandpa robbers', are on trial in Paris for the high-profile 2016 heist of Kim Kardashian, where she was tied up and robbed at gunpoint of jewelry valued at over $9 million. The robbery, executed by men dressed as police officers, heightened safety concerns for tourists in Paris, which was already on edge from previous terrorist attacks. DNA evidence led to the arrest of suspects after months of investigation, and two of the defendants have admitted involvement, though they denied leading roles. The trial, drawing significant media attention, raises concerns about becoming a spectacle due to Kardashian's celebrity status, overshadowing the crime's gravity. One defendant, Aomar Aït Khedache, expressed regret for his actions in an undelivered letter to Kardashian, acknowledging the psychological harm caused by the ordeal.

In October 2016, Kim Kardashian was violently robbed in a Paris residence during Fashion Week, where five masked men stole jewelry worth over $9 million, including a $4 million diamond engagement ring.

The robbers, disguising themselves as police officers, overpowered the night watchman, who later suffered PTSD, forcing him to assist them in locating Kardashian's apartment where she was bound and gagged.

The group involved, known as the 'grandpa robbers', consists of older criminals, with some defendants now in their 70s, and have been charged with crimes ranging from armed robbery to complicity.

Aomar Aït Khedache and Yunice Abbas, two key figures, face life sentences and have admitted partial involvement; Khedache's DNA was found at the scene, while Abbas claimed to be a lookout with minimal knowledge of Kardashian's fame.

The trial is expected to last until May, attracting over 400 journalists, sparking concerns from lawyers about it turning into a 'show trial' due to Kardashian's high profile, rather than focusing on the crime's severity.

Khedache, who was evading a previous conviction, has acknowledged the psychological impact of the robbery on Kardashian, writing a letter of remorse that was never delivered but is now part of the court's records.

Kardashian, who is expected to testify, has publicly recounted the traumatic experience, particularly fearing for her life and thinking of her sister, who was nearby at a fashion event during the incident.