Kim Kardashian’s Paris chauffeur is one of 17 people detained in connection with the armed robbery of the reality star last year.
The suspects were picked up by French police on Monday for questioning about the theft at gunpoint of jewels and cash worth $10 million from Kardashian in her Paris hotel room in October, a spokesman for the Paris prosecutor told CNN. According to the prosecutor, those held are between the ages of 23 and 73 and can be held for up to 96 hours for questioning.
Jean Veil, Kardashian’s French lawyer, described the detentions as “a nice surprise,” according to French magazine L’Express.
On the one hand, it will perhaps mean the jewels will be recovered and on the other hand it puts an end to disgraceful speculation by some people, who thought it clever to pretend this robbery was a set-up or a publicity stunt by Madame Kardashian,” Veil said.
Kardashian was in Paris for Fashion Week when the robbery occurred.
The French Interior Ministry has said five men threatened the concierge at the hotel mansion where Kardashian was staying with a weapon, handcuffed him and forced him to open the private apartment. Two of the robbers gained entry to Kardashian’s room, and a gun was held to her head, the Paris prosecutor’s office has said.
A source familiar with the situation told CNN that Kardashian pleaded for her life as she was threatened with the gun, and was bound and forced into a bathtub. Tape was placed over her mouth.
The men took two cell phones and jewelry worth millions of dollars, according to the Interior Ministry.
The prosecutor’s office said a ring worth an estimated 4 million euros ($4.5 million) and a jewelry box with contents worth about 5 million euros ($5.6 million) were stolen, CNN reported.
Kardashian has not given any interviews about the incident. But the incident is expected to feature prominently during the next season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”
—City News Service