Kim Kardashian, the American reality TV star and entrepreneur, testified on Tuesday at a Paris court in the ongoing trial of the burglars accused of robbing her at gunpoint nearly nine years ago. Kardashian told the court she “absolutely thought” her assailants would kill her during the traumatic 2016 incident.
The high-profile trial involves nine men and one woman, aged between 35 and 78, facing charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and conspiracy. Eight defendants deny involvement, while two have admitted to lesser charges. Several are repeat offenders.
Recalling the night of October 2016, Kardashian described being tied up and robbed of nearly $10 million in cash and jewelry during Paris Fashion Week. Among the stolen items was a $4 million engagement ring given to her by then-husband Kanye West, which has never been recovered.
Kardashian recounted being woken up by intruders, initially fearing a terrorist attack, and pleading for her life. “I have babies, I have to make it home,” she told the robbers. She described the terrifying moment a gun was pressed against her back and her hands were bound with zip ties. Fearing sexual assault, Kardashian said she braced for the worst but was relieved when the robbers instead taped her legs.
Her close friend and former stylist, Simone Harouche, testified that she hid in a bathroom during the robbery, contacting Kardashian’s sister, Kourtney, and their bodyguard, Pascal Duvier, who later found Kardashian hysterical. Harouche, visibly emotional, said the incident had lasting psychological effects, prompting her to leave celebrity styling for interior design.
The group of elderly suspects has been nicknamed the “Grandpa Robbers.” Out of the original 12 suspects, one has died, and another has been ruled unfit for trial due to Alzheimer’s disease. If convicted, the defendants could face up to 30 years in prison.
The trial, which began on April 28, 2025, was delayed for years due to a backlog of major cases, including those related to the 2015 Paris terror attacks. The proceedings are expected to conclude on May 22, with a verdict scheduled for May 23.
