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Jewellery Heist Participant Expresses Regret Over Kim Kardashian Robbery

A 71-year-old man involved in the notorious jewellery heist that resulted in Kim Kardashian being robbed at gunpoint in 2016 has publicly stated that he “totally regretted” his participation in the crime.

Yunice Abbas is among ten individuals currently facing trial in Paris for their roles in the robbery that occurred on the night of October 2-3. Abbas has shared that he remained in the lobby of a Paris hotel, acting as a lookout while two accomplices entered Kardashian’s room, bound her, and stole approximately $10 million (£7.5 million) worth of jewellery.

In an effort to profit from the crime, Abbas authored a book titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, published in 2021. During a court session on Tuesday, a prosecutor presented a copy of the book, prompting the judge to question Abbas about his decision to express pride in the heist.

While sitting in court wearing a short-sleeved checkered shirt, Abbas shook his head emphatically and admitted, “It makes me very uneasy,” reiterating his regret for participating in the theft.

He recounted how he arrived at the crime scene on a bicycle and attempted to escape in the same manner. While he managed to grab a bag of stolen items during his flight, he overlooked a diamond necklace, which was later recovered by law enforcement.

During the hearing, Abbas reflected that the act of stealing from Kardashian had been “one job too many,” suggesting that it served as a turning point, opening his eyes to the gravity of his actions.

Now living with Parkinson’s disease, Abbas was seen placing his right hand over his left, resting on his heart, to control his anxiety during the proceedings.

The judge reviewed Abbas’ criminal history, which includes convictions for using fake license plates in robberies, equipping vehicles with hidden compartments for cannabis, and a previous armed robbery where he wielded a gun.

Despite his past, Abbas had also worked as a car mechanic. He disclosed that he experienced “moments of weakness” that led him back into criminal activities. “I fell back on things I thought were easy shortcuts but only ended up complicating my life,” he acknowledged.

Abbas, along with the other nine defendants, is not currently in custody. Kim Kardashian is scheduled to testify in court on May 13.

The defendants, nine men and one woman primarily in their 60s and 70s, have backgrounds as seasoned criminals, with nicknames like Old Omar and Blue Eyes. However, Henri de Beauregard, the lawyer representing one of the victims—a night receptionist who was forced to assist the robbers—urged the public not to romanticize the accused as “kind old men.” He emphasized the need to recognize the seriousness of their actions during the high-profile robbery that took place during Paris Fashion Week.

Source
www.theguardian.com