Nearly nine years after Kim Kardashian was bound, gagged, and robbed at gunpoint in a luxury hotel in Paris, she finally faced the men accused of terrorizing her during a terrifying heist that made global headlines. Appearing in a Paris courtroom on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the reality television star and business mogul gave a heart-wrenching, two-hour testimony describing the moments she believed would be her last.
“I absolutely thought they were going to kill me,” Kardashian said through tears, recalling the horrifying events of October 3, 2016, when masked men stormed into her suite during Paris Fashion Week.
At the time, Kardashian was alone in her room at the Hotel de Pourtalès, a luxury residence known for its discretion and privacy. She was startled awake by the robbers, who had disguised themselves as police officers and gained access to the building with inside help.
“I Have Babies… Please Let Me Live”
In her testimony, Kardashian described being awoken from sleep by the sound of heavy footsteps. At first, she thought it might be her sister Kourtney or her personal assistant, Simone Harouche. But as the door opened, she saw masked intruders and instantly feared the worst.
“There were a lot of terrorist attacks happening around that time,” she explained. “I thought that’s what it was. I thought they were terrorists, and I was going to die.”
With her hands zip-tied behind her back and her mouth taped shut, Kardashian said the robbers dragged her from her bed and forced her onto the bathroom floor. She wore only a bathrobe and was terrified of being assaulted.
“I was naked under the robe. Everything was exposed. I was sure he was going to rape me,” she said. “I said a prayer and got ready for it to happen… but then he closed my legs and taped them.”
At gunpoint, the robbers demanded her jewelry. They took nearly $10 million worth, including her prized $4 million engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West. That ring has never been recovered.
“I pleaded with them,” Kardashian told the court. “I said, ‘I have babies. I need to make it home.’”
The Emotional Toll: “They’ll Find Me Shot Dead on the Bed”
Kardashian broke down multiple times during her testimony, especially when describing her fears for her family. She imagined her sister or friend finding her lifeless body.
“I knew Kourtney or Simone would find me,” she sobbed. “They’d walk in and see me shot dead on the bed. And they’d have that image in their mind forever.”
What Happened to Kardashian’s Team?
Simone Harouche, Kardashian’s longtime friend and stylist, also testified in court earlier that day. She had been sleeping in a room downstairs when she heard the commotion.
“I locked myself in the bathroom,” Harouche said. “I was texting Kourtney and our bodyguard Pascal Duvier, trying to alert them.”
Harouche described the scene after the burglars left:
“I heard Kim hopping down the stairs. She came into my room. She had tape around her feet. She was screaming, ‘What do we do if they come back? We might need to jump out the window!’ She was clearly traumatized.”
A Crime That Changed Kardashian’s Life Forever
Since the robbery, Kardashian said she has completely overhauled her lifestyle, security, and public presence. She no longer posts real-time updates from events or trips and travels with full-time security.
“It changed how I live,” she said. “It changed how I sleep, how I trust people, and how I go out in public.”
Kardashian said she no longer feels safe without multiple security guards and has developed anxiety, even at home. Her testimony revealed not just the moment of trauma, but the long-lasting emotional and psychological effects of the ordeal.
Who Are the “Grandpa Robbers”?
The accused group of burglars—nicknamed the “Grandpa Robbers” due to their ages—includes ten defendants, mostly men between the ages of 35 and 78. Twelve were originally arrested. One has since passed away, and another, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, was deemed unfit to stand trial.
They face charges including:
- Armed robbery
- Kidnapping
- Criminal conspiracy
Some of the accused are repeat offenders with long rap sheets, and much of the early proceedings focused on their past criminal histories. Two of the ten have already pleaded guilty to parts of the charges.
Apology From the Ringleader: “I Regret My Act”
Toward the end of her testimony, Kardashian was read a letter written by Aomar Aït Khedache, the 68-year-old man alleged to be the leader of the operation. Khedache, who is partially deaf and unable to speak, expressed remorse.
“I want to come to you as a human being and say how much I regret my act,” he wrote.
Kardashian acknowledged the apology, stating:
“I forgive him. But that doesn’t change the feelings, the trauma, or the emotion.”
Trial Timeline and What’s Next
The trial, which began on April 28, 2025, is expected to run through May 22. A verdict is scheduled for May 23. If convicted, some of the defendants could face up to 30 years in prison under French law.
This case has brought renewed attention to how celebrities manage security and privacy in the age of social media and has become a legal milestone in France for its blend of luxury crime, celebrity, and high-profile prosecution.
A Survivor’s Strength
Kim Kardashian’s testimony was a powerful display of emotional courage. She did not just relive a violent episode—she used her platform to speak on the long-term effects of trauma, the importance of security, and the reality that even the most high-profile individuals can become victims.
As the trial nears its conclusion, the world watches not just for a verdict, but for what justice will look like in one of the most infamous celebrity robberies of the 21st century.
The Information is Collected from CBS News and NBC News.
