Practically 9 years after being held at gunpoint on the Hôtel de Pourtalès in Paris, Kim Kardashian returned to the French capital to testify concerning the theft throughout a trial on the Palais de Justice courtroom on Tuesday. A gaggle of 10 folks is accused of robbing the truth star in October 2016, stealing an estimated $10 million in jewellery and money and a $4 million engagement ring from her resort room. Two of the defendants, Yunice Abbas and Aomar Ait Khedache, have admitted to the fees in opposition to them. The remaining deny them.
Kardashian arrived at courtroom accompanied by her mom, Kris Jenner. The cofounder of Skims was wearing a black swimsuit jacket with a protracted black skirt by Balenciaga. She additionally sported a $1.5 million diamond necklace by Samer Halimeh New York, crafted in 18-karat white gold and that includes a complete of 80 diamonds.
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner arrive on the Palais de Justice, on Might 13, 2025 in Paris.
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Contained in the courtroom, Kardashian sat subsequent to Simone Harouche, her childhood pal, who was on the resort on the day of the theft.
After being referred to as by the presiding decide, David De Pas, to the witness stand, Kardashian started by telling the courtroom that her journey to Paris in 2016 “modified every little thing.”
Visibly emotional, Kardashian recounted the occasions on the day of the theft, saying her sister Kourtney Kardashian, Harouche and Jenner have been out for the evening. “We have been leaving the subsequent morning, and I used to be simply packing up at 3 a.m. I used to be simply on the point of go to mattress,” she stated. The truth star stated she heard noises on the steps and referred to as out for Kourtney, however nobody answered. Then, two folks got here into her bed room dressed as law enforcement officials, forcing the evening receptionist, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, to behave as an interpreter between the gang and Kardashian.
“I clearly was very confused once they first walked in. I needed to make sense of what was occurring.…I used to be nearly to go to sleep,” she stated, including that she was “bare with only a gown on.”
Kardashian stated she was confused by the interplay with Ouatiki, who wasn’t fluent in English, and she or he wasn’t positive if he was a part of the gang or not. “I perceive now how shocked he was and he was only a sufferer like myself and we have been on this collectively,” she stated.
Kim Kardashian waves on the followers and arrives on the Palais de Justice on Might 13 in Paris.
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The truth star stated the robbers have been repeatedly asking for the “ring.” “The gentleman discovered the ring that was subsequent to my mattress,” she stated. “The taller one was trying by means of my stuff and had discovered the jewellery field, and he stated: ‘aha, aha!’ — excited and grateful that he discovered extra jewellery.”
In accordance with Kardashian, she was pushed onto her mattress and have become “fairly hysterical.” “I stated to the concierge, ‘I’ve infants, inform them, I simply should make it dwelling,’” she stated, including that the concierge replied to her, “I don’t know, I don’t know if we’re going to die.”
Kardashian stated one of many males put tape round her palms and mouth, whereas one other held a gun as much as her. “He grabs my legs and pulls me,” she stated. “I’m bare and my every little thing is uncovered. I used to be positive that I used to be going to be raped,” she stated.
“At that time, I used to be positive that’s once they have been going to shoot me,” Kardashian stated. “So I stated a prayer for my household and my mother and my sister and finest pal.”
The entrepreneur added that she thought her sister Kourtney could be again quickly, and feared she would discover her physique. “I’d be shot useless on the mattress, and she or he would see that and have that reminiscence eternally.”
The courtroom’s presiding decide requested Kardashian if she thought she was going to die. “I completely did suppose I used to be gonna die,” she stated.
Kim Kardashian arrives on the Palais de Justice on Might 13 in Paris.
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In accordance with Kardashian, she was placed on the toilet flooring by one of many robbers earlier than they left the scene. “Then I waited a couple of minutes. I wasn’t positive in the event that they have been gonna get one thing and are available again — however after a couple of minutes I didn’t hear something,” she stated, including that she rubbed the zip ties round her wrists on the tape to untie herself.
Along with her ankles nonetheless tied, Kardashian went searching for Harouche, who was staying on the ground beneath and helped her reduce off the zip ties. Harouche went to name for assist, whereas Kardashian hid within the bushes outdoors whereas she referred to as her mother.
The influencer described feeling “confused” when the police arrived. “I didn’t know who to belief,” she stated. Kardashian stated she developed a “phobia of going out” following the theft and now has 4 and 6 safety guards at her dwelling in California throughout the evening “only for me to really feel secure.”
The “Grandpa Robbers”
Most of the suspected people concerned within the theft have been born within the Nineteen Fifties, which has prompted the French media to consult with them because the “grandpa robbers.” One particular person has handed away, whereas one other, who’s 81 years previous, might be excused on account of affected by superior dementia.
Kardashian was requested about her response when she was proven photos of the suspects by French investigators. “I assumed they have been youthful,” she says.
Khedache, one of many two defendants who has admitted guilt, wrote Kardashian a letter when he was arrested in 2017, asking for her forgiveness. “Madame, after seeing you in a French TV present and seeing your emotion and realizing what psychological hurt I did to you, I made a decision to put in writing to you. Not with the goal of getting forgiveness…I need to let you know human to human how I remorse my actions and the way I used to be touched to see you cry.…I’m sorry for the ache I brought on you, your husband, your kids and people who love you,” he wrote.
“I do admire the letter for positive. I do admire it, I forgive you,” Kardashian stated.
Kim Kardashian arrives on the Palais de Justice on Might 13 in Paris.
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One other suspect, Abbas, who wrote a guide concerning the heist, additionally confirmed remorse concerning the theft. “Listening to the trauma you [sic] actually remorse your actions.…I urge you to just accept my apologies,” he stated.
Following listening to Kardashian’s testimony for greater than two hours, the proceedings have been paused for a quick intermission.
The trial started in late April 2025 and entails 10 defendants — 9 males and one girl — going through fees of armed theft, kidnapping and associated offenses. There is no such thing as a confirmed date but for the ultimate verdict or sentencing.
