On May 13, 2025, Kim Kardashian appeared in a Paris courtroom to provide testimony in the long-running investigation into the high-profile armed robbery she survived in October 2016. The reality television star and entrepreneur gave a detailed and emotional account of the events that transpired nearly a decade ago at the No Address Hotel during Paris Fashion Week. She was accompanied by her mother, Kris Jenner, who has remained a vocal supporter since the incident occurred.

During her testimony, Kardashian recounted the terrifying moments when a group of masked assailants, dressed in police uniforms, gained entry to her private suite. According to her statement, the men had overpowered and restrained the hotel concierge, forcing him at gunpoint to unlock the apartment where Kardashian was staying.

Once inside, the intruders confronted Kardashian directly, zip-tying her wrists, binding her ankles, and covering her eyes and mouth with duct tape. She testified that she was then forcibly placed in a bathtub, where she remained restrained for an extended period.

The attackers repeatedly demanded specific items of high value, particularly a diamond engagement ring estimated at $4.5 million, which had been a gift from her then-husband, rapper Kanye West. In total, the assailants stole approximately $10 million worth of jewelry, including a jewelry case valued at more than $5.6 million. The robbery is widely regarded as one of the most significant thefts targeting an individual in modern French history.

Kardashian’s testimony was marked by visible emotion, with the media noting that she fought back tears while recounting her fear that she might be physically assaulted or even killed. She described feeling powerless, unsure whether she would survive the ordeal. She also stated that she prayed silently throughout the attack, thinking of her children and family. Kardashian emphasized that, at first, she mistook the sound of movement within the hotel for her sister Kourtney Kardashian and a friend returning late from an outing. It wasn’t until the intruders stormed into her room that she realized the gravity of the situation. 

In her testimony, she shared, “I kept telling them I have babies and I need to get home to my babies."

And, when the presiding judge, David De Pas, asked if she believed she was going to die the night of the robbery, she replied, “I absolutely thought I was going to die.”

Also present in the hotel that night was Kardashian’s longtime stylist and friend, Simone Harouche, who was staying in an adjacent room. Harouche also gave testimony, stating that she was alerted by the sound of Kardashian’s screams and locked herself in a bathroom while contacting emergency services. Her actions are believed to have played a critical role in alerting authorities and potentially preventing further harm.

Kardashian’s then-stylist has told the court how the incident made her change career paths and become an interior designer.

She said she became “very fearful,” that she didn’t want to work with celebrities, and that she went to therapy for post-traumatic stress and still to this day, I am very sensitive to loud noise. Becoming emotional, she stated coming back to the United States from Paris in 2016 she cried the whole flight back. 

During the trial, one of the key defendants, Aomar Ait Khedache, made a notable attempt to express remorse. In a dramatic moment before the hearing adjourned, Khedache — who is deaf and mute — requested to send a message to Harouche, who had just finished testifying.

His message, displayed on a screen after some technical setup, stated that he would not ask for forgiveness, calling it “too easy,” and admitted to confusion and deep regret over his actions. He added, “Please know that if there was a hole, I would jump in it,” signaling a profound sense of guilt. While Khedache’s words appeared to be an attempt at redemption, Harouche still has significant PTSD and met his regard with no comment.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Simone Harouche (@simoneharouche)

The traumatic incident had a lasting impact on Kardashian, both personally and professionally. In the aftermath of the robbery, she significantly scaled back her public appearances and increased her security detail. While she later spoke about the experience on episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, her courtroom testimony offered a more thorough and solemn account of the psychological and emotional toll it took on her.

This testimony marks a major development in a legal case that has taken years to bring to trial, due to its complex nature and the international profile of the victim. French authorities have arrested and charged several suspects in connection to the heist, many of whom have ties to organized crime networks. The case has been closely watched by the public and media alike, not only because of Kardashian’s celebrity status, but also due to its implications for luxury crime prevention and celebrity security measures.

By choosing to testify in person in Paris, Kardashian underscored the seriousness of the proceedings and demonstrated her willingness to cooperate fully with the judicial process, despite the painful memories the testimony might have revived. The court proceedings continue, with legal experts suggesting that Kardashian’s testimony could be pivotal in securing convictions for those involved.

Photo Credit: @backgrid_usa