Kim Kardashian faces accused robbers after 9 years in Paris trial, recounts the terrifying ordeal

Express Tribune

13-05-2025

Kim Kardashian took to the stand in Paris on Tuesday to testify against the suspects accused of robbing her at gunpoint nearly nine years ago during the infamous heist at the Hôtel de Pourtalès.
The ten men, dubbed the 'grandpa robbers' by the French press due to their ages, are accused of stealing $9 million worth of jewelry from the reality star during Paris Fashion Week in 2016. Kardashian described the terrifying events that unfolded that night, recounting how, in the early hours, the robbers, disguised as police officers, burst into her hotel room and restrained her at gunpoint. Wearing only a bathrobe, she was zip-tied, her mouth taped shut, and her life flashed before her eyes. 'I absolutely did think I was going to die,' Kardashian said in a tearful testimony. 'I was certain that was the moment he was going to rape me.'
The reality star's account revealed how the robbers, who had initially handcuffed a concierge, quickly overpowered her in the room, demanding her jewelry. One of the robbers pointed a gun at her head, dragging her to the bathtub while shouting, 'Ring! Ring!' to indicate their desire for her diamonds. Kardashian explained that she believed the attack was part of a terrorist plot, adding, 'I thought it was some sort of terrorist attack.'
Despite the terrifying circumstances, Kardashian's thoughts remained with her children, as she repeatedly told the robbers, 'I have babies,' fearing she wouldn't survive the ordeal. After the robbery, she hid in a bathroom, terrified the robbers might return to eliminate any witnesses.
The trial marks the first time Kardashian has faced the accused since the robbery. In her testimony, she expressed how the heist drastically changed her life. She acknowledged that the robbery has left an emotional and psychological toll, with her security measures becoming far more stringent. 'My style in security is completely different now,' she shared, revealing that she now employs multiple security guards at all times and refrains from posting real-time social media updates.
Kardashian also addressed false claims that the robbery had been staged for her reality show, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," dismissing them as deeply hurtful. 'It was really hard for me when people said I'd made it up for my TV show,' she explained.
The defendants, some of whom are in their 60s and 70s, had reportedly used Kardashian's social media posts to track her whereabouts, leading to the planned heist. Notably, one of the accused, Aomar Ait Khedache, a deaf and mute 69-year-old, wrote a letter of apology to Kardashian during the trial, expressing regret for his role in the crime. However, he, along with another defendant, has faced significant health issues—one defendant even passed away before the trial, and another was excused due to illness. Another, Yunice Abbas, published a book about the robbery, further capturing media attention.
In the aftermath of the robbery, Kardashian has become a vocal advocate for security and privacy, and the trial continues to shed light on the traumatic impact of the event on her life. The fate of those responsible for robbing Kardashian of her jewelry—and her peace of mind—remains to be determined, as the trial is still ongoing.