Kim Kardashian Testifies in Paris Jewel Heist Trial: “I Thought I Was Going to Die”

Reality television star and business mogul Kim Kardashian gave emotional testimony in a Paris courtroom on Tuesday, recounting the terrifying 2016 armed robbery that left her traumatized and fearing for her life.

Kardashian, 44, appeared in court to face several of the accused involved in the heist, including the alleged ringleader, Aomar Ait Khedache. Recalling the ordeal, she tearfully described her fear during the incident, when masked intruders broke into her hotel room in the early hours of the morning during Paris Fashion Week.

"I absolutely thought I was going to die," she told the court, visibly emotional as she described believing she was about to be raped and shot. "I thought about my sister, thought she would walk in and see me shot dead and have that memory in her forever," she added.

The attackers, disguised as police officers, allegedly tied her up with zip ties and duct tape, making off with millions in jewellery — including a $4 million engagement ring gifted by her former husband, rapper Kanye West (now legally known as Ye). Kardashian, dressed in a sleek black ensemble by designer John Galliano, detailed the harrowing experience.

"We were leaving the next morning so I was just packing up, it was around 3 in the morning. I heard stomping up the stairs when I was in bed," she said. "Then I heard one of the gentlemen forcefully say ‘ring! ring!’ in English, with an accent, pointing," she continued. "I was pretty hysterical and I just looked at the concierge and told him 'What is going to happen to us? I have to make it home to my babies'."

The star recalled how one of the intruders grabbed her leg, making her fear a sexual assault. "But he ended up tying me up and closed my legs," she said.

Though she was not physically assaulted beyond being restrained and dragged, the psychological trauma has lingered. "I was grabbed, and dragged into the other room, and thrown onto the floor, but wasn't hit, no," she testified.

In a poignant moment, a letter of apology from Khedache, now 69 and unable to speak, was read aloud in court. Kardashian, moved to tears again, responded directly: "I'm honestly emotional about it. I do appreciate the letter for sure, I forgive you. But it doesn't change the feelings and the trauma and the fact that my life was forever changed, but I do appreciate the letter, thank you."

Khedache’s written response was also shared: "Your forgiveness is a sunshine that has enlightened me ... I am forever grateful."

The robbery had a lasting impact on Kardashian’s sense of safety. “It changed the way that I feel safe at home. Now I have between four and six security at home for me to feel safe,” she said. “I can’t sleep at night if there aren’t multiple security people.”

Simone Harouche, Kardashian’s stylist, also testified. Present in the hotel suite during the robbery, she described her panic, locking herself in a bathroom and texting Kardashian’s sister Kourtney and their bodyguard for help. "She was beside herself, I've never seen her like that before," Harouche said, referring to Kardashian after the robbers left. "She just was screaming and kept saying we need to get out of here, we need help, what are we going to do if they come back."

Harouche revealed that the trauma forced her to leave her career and seek therapy, describing how the event caused post-traumatic stress and a fear of working with celebrities.

Ten individuals — nine men and one woman — are on trial in connection with the heist. Five of them face charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, crimes that could result in life imprisonment. The rest are charged with complicity or possession of illegal weapons.

While some of the stolen items, like a diamond cross dropped during the getaway, were recovered, most—including the iconic engagement ring—remain missing.

Fans of Kardashian gathered outside the courthouse, many queuing early in the morning to witness the proceedings. “We came to show our support for Kim Kardashian because she's someone we've followed since we were very young,” said social media influencer Leo Saint-Charles. “She inspires us a lot, and we're here to support her in this trial, which was very traumatic for her. And there you have it, we hope justice will be done, right?”

The trial continues, with public and media attention closely following every development in one of the most high-profile celebrity crime cases in recent memory.