France launches probe into Kardashian robbery

Kim Kardashian participates in a television interview as she arrives for the 20th Annual Webby Awards in Manhattan, New York. PHOTO: REUTERS

PARIS • French prosecutors have formally opened an investigation into the robbery in Paris of Kim Kardashian in which the reality television star lost millions in jewellery, a judicial source said yesterday.

The investigation is focusing on "armed theft in a gang, criminal conspiracy and kidnapping", the source said. DNA traces that were found in the luxury apartment where Kardashian and her entourage were staying are being examined.

Police said a gang of five armed men burst into the residence in the early hours of Oct 3, tied up Kardashian and stole a ring and jewellery worth about €9 million (S$13.7 million). They are believed to have fled the scene by bicycle.

Kardashian, 35, who was then attending Paris fashion week, was briefly questioned by police before flying back to New York. Her bodyguard Pascal Duvier was not with her at the time of the attack as he was providing security for her sister Kourtney at a Paris nightclub.

Meanwhile, she filed a suit on Tuesday against Mediatakeout.com for alleging she faked having her jewellery stolen to cheat insurers.

In a suit filed in New York, she said "the tabloid published articles in early October referring to her as a liar and thief".

The articles "claimed, without any factual support" that she faked the robbery, "lied about the violent assault and then filed a fraudulent claim with her insurance company to bilk her carrier out of millions of dollars", the suit said.

Khloe Kardashian, 32, on Tuesday became the first member of the family to address the robbery. She told talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres on her show that her sister was "not doing that well". Asked if the family was scaling back on making comments on social media, she said: " I think it's just a wake-up call to make a lot of life adjustments."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 13, 2016, with the headline France launches probe into Kardashian robbery. Subscribe