Ten suspects went on trial in Paris on Monday over the 2016 robbery of the US celebrity Kim Kardashian, which saw some $10 million worth of jewellery stolen from the reality TV star and influencer.

Kardashian, 44, was traumatised and left Paris hours after the robbery on the night of October 2-3, 2016. She was not in court for the start of the trial but is due to testify on May 13 in a highly anticipated appearance.

Those on trial are mainly men in their 60s and 70s with previous criminal records and underworld nicknames like "Old Omar" and "Blue Eyes" that recall the old-school French gangsters of 1960s and 1970s films noirs.

The lawyer for one of the victims is eager to dispel the image of "kind old men" on trial.

"We need to end this myth of friendly, Robin Hood-style pensioners," said Henri de Beauregard, who represents the night receptionist forced to accompany the robbers.

Defence lawyer Joseph Hazan called for people not to get swept up into the "fantasy surrounding this case", adding it should be treated like any other.

The nine men and one woman on trial, while........

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