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Nearly a decade after being robbed at gunpoint in a Paris hotel, Kim Kardashian is returning to the French capital to testify against the suspects accused of orchestrating the heist. The SKIMS founder, 44, is expected to appear in court today, offering a firsthand account of the 2016 break-in that left her bound, gagged, and stripped of nearly $9 million in jewelry.
The burglary occurred on October 3, 2016, during Paris Fashion Week. Five armed men forced their way into the No Address Hotel, where Kardashian was staying in a private suite. According to police reports, the intruders tied her up with plastic cable ties, taped her mouth shut, and placed her in a bathtub while demanding access to her valuables. Among the stolen items was a $4 million diamond ring gifted by then-husband Kanye West.
Abderrahmane Ouatiki, the night receptionist on duty, testified that he was coerced at gunpoint to escort the robbers to Kardashian's suite and act as an interpreter. "She was completely hysterical," he said in court. "The man was very aggressive, and she was utterly terrified." Ouatiki described fearing for his own life as one of the burglars became increasingly agitated by Kardashian's screams.
Authorities arrested the suspects three months after the heist. Twelve people were initially charged, though only ten are currently on trial. One defendant passed away in March, while another was excused for medical reasons. French media dubbed the group the "grandpa robbers" due to their age—most are in their 60s and 70s—and several are facing serious health issues, including cancer and mobility problems.
The alleged ringleader, Aomar Ait Khedache, now 68, is deaf and mute. He was questioned last week through written responses projected on a courtroom screen. Despite their frailty, the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme emphasized the gang's sophistication. "They may have made mistakes, but they were still a decent team," said the lead investigator. The burglars reportedly used burner phones, avoided surveillance, and offloaded the stolen ring in Antwerp.
Kardashian's decision to testify is deeply personal. "Kim's a bit nervous, but this is her choice," a source told People. "She wants the people involved convicted." In a 2020 interview with David Letterman, she admitted she thought she was going to be raped or killed. "I'm gonna be dead in the room," she recalled thinking.
Her testimony is not only pivotal for the prosecution—it also marks a symbolic reclaiming of her narrative.
