Kim Kardashian testifies in court as witness to Paris burglary case
Kim Kardashian is in Paris to appear in court as a witness to a burglary case which saw her held up at gunpoint with millions of dollars of jewellery stolen. A total of 10 people are currently on trial in the French capital following the 2016 robbery which took place at a luxury suite she was staying at during Paris Fashion Week.
The haul which was stolen from the reality star included a a $4m (£2.9m) diamond engagement ring which she had been gifted by then-husband Kanye West.
Business woman Kim, 44, was said to have been 'completely hysterical' and in a 'state of complete terror' during the ordeal, according to night receptionist Abderrahmane Ouatik. He appeared as a witness on Monday, where he also stated a 'very nervous' man had pointed a gun at the star as he added: 'He was very aggressive and she was utterly terrified.'
According to the BBC, three people were keeping watch in the reception of the exclusive Hotel de Pourtalès in central Paris while two other men forced Ouatiki to take them to the mum of four's room.
He said he too had been scared for his life because of the erratic behaviour of the robber, and he added he was irritated by Kardashian's screaming.
When the group got to Kim's room, the witness said that they demanded she handed over the ring, as well as other jewels worth up to a total of $9m.
The BBC reports three men were arrested around three months later, as were several others who were thought to be accessories to the crime. The robbers have been nicknamed the "Grandpa robbers" because many are in their 70s and have serious health issues.
The defence team are reportedly pursuing an argument that the crime was committed by bumbling, elderly burglars who were not aware of the fame of Kim Kardashian or the rest of the family. According to the reports, 12 appeared in court but one died in March and another was excused for health reasons., with one undergoing chemotherapy and another reported to have "visible tremors".
Out of the 10 that remain, two are denying involvement in the burglary. The stolen jewellery was never found but police reckon the pieces were broken up and sold on.
Aomar Ait Khedache, 68, is the alleged ringleader, the BBC reports, and he has had to write down his answers when questioned on the stand, and these were then projected on to a screen, due to the fact the alleged perpetrator is deaf and mute.
The lead investigator of the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (Banditry Repression Brigade) special unit said last week: "They may have made mistakes but they were still a decent team."
He added that Kardashian's feet and ankles were tied up with cable ties and she had tape on her mouth. He also revealed that they had used burner phones and allegedly had a car parked nearby.
"That was well done," he said. "They pulled it off, because they managed to flog the goods and palm off a $4m ring in Antwerp, which isn't that easy.
it's also reported that Kardashian was taken to a bathroom in the property during the terrifying ordeal, and was wearing a bathrobe and the belt came undone.
Kim's lawyer Léonore Hennerick asked witness Ouatiki to go into more detail, but he replied: "You have to respect the victim, I think."
Ouatiki also described one of the alleged perpetrators as being "dangerous" as he was "stressed and shouting". He added he was an interpreter between the group and Kardashian as he wanted to "calm things down" and "didn't know what he was capable of".
Simone Bretter, Kardashian's friend and stylist who was staying in the same suite but on a different floor to Kardashian, will take the stand on Tuesday morning. She was present during the ordeal but hid when she realised the burglars had entered.
it's reported that around 500 journalists are accredited for the trial and Kim's appearance is set to attract huge media attention.
Jeetendr Sehdev, celebrity expert and the author of The Kim Kardashian Principle, told the BBC: "Testifying will allow her to reclaim agency in this situation and rewrite the ending.
"In 2016 she was the punchline. But in 2025 testifying is going to turn her into the narrator."
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