‘Thought I would die...’ Kim Kardashian relives Paris robbery in court testimony

Paris: Kim Kardashian appeared in a Paris courtroom on Tuesday, wearing diamonds and displaying strength as she testified in the trial over the 2016 armed robbery that dramatically changed her life. The reality TV star and entrepreneur shared an emotional and, at times, distressing account of the night she was tied up at gunpoint and robbed of more than $6 million in jewellery.

"I thought it was a terrorist attack"

Kardashian recalled that she had just begun to drift off to sleep when she heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. Believing it was her sister Kourtney returning from a night out, she called out, “Hello? Hello? Who is it?”

Two masked men then entered her room, dragging the concierge in handcuffs. Dressed as police officers, they frightened her immediately. “I thought it was some sort of terrorist attack,” she said.

She reached for her phone but froze. “I didn’t know what 911 was (in France),” she said. She tried to contact her sister and bodyguard, but one of the men grabbed her hand to stop her. They threw her onto the bed, bound her hands, and held a gun to her back.

“I have babies,” she told them.

“I have to make it home. They can take everything. I just have to make it home.”

Kardashian said her robe opened and she was naked underneath as one of the robbers pulled her towards him.

“I was certain that was the moment that he was going to rape me,” she said.

One man leaned in and told her in English that she would be fine if she remained quiet. He taped her mouth shut and moved her into the bathroom.

Escaping and hiding in fear

Afterwards, Kardashian managed to free her hands by rubbing the tape against the bathroom sink. She hopped downstairs with her ankles still tied and found her friend and stylist, Simone Harouche. Fearing the attackers might return, they climbed onto a balcony and hid in the bushes. While lying there, she called her mother.

The robbers had taken a diamond ring she wore to a Givenchy show and rummaged through her jewellery box. Among the items stolen was a watch given to her by her late father when she finished high school.

“It wasn’t just jewellery. It was so many memories,” she said.

A lasting impact on her life

Investigators believe the robbers had tracked Kardashian by following digital clues — such as photos, timestamps and geotags — combined with old-fashioned criminal tactics.

“This experience really changed everything for us,” she said. “I started to get this phobia of going out.”

She now rents adjoining hotel rooms for added safety, does not store jewellery at home, and employs up to six security guards at her residence. “I can’t even sleep at night” otherwise, she said.

She also avoids posting in real time on social media unless she is at a public event. Her home in Los Angeles was later robbed, which she believes was a copycat crime following the Paris incident.

An apology from the accused

In a powerful courtroom moment, the chief judge read out a letter from one of the accused, who could not attend due to illness. The man expressed regret after seeing Kardashian’s emotional interviews.

“I’m obviously emotional,” she responded.

“I do appreciate the letter, for sure. I forgive you for what had taken place. But it doesn’t change the emotion, the trauma, and the way my life is forever changed.”

Kardashian, who is currently studying law, added that she often visits prisons. “I’ve always believed in second chances,” she said.

Defiant in the face of trauma

Kardashian wore a $1.5 million necklace by Samer Halimeh New York to court. The jeweller’s press release was issued as she testified, underlining that public image still holds power — though the rules around it have become more complex.

The jewellery was seen as a bold statement — reclaiming the luxury and identity that had once been used against her.

12 accused, trial continues

Kardashian said Paris had once felt like a safe and magical place, where she would walk in the early hours, often stopping for hot chocolate.

“It always felt really safe,” she said. “It was always a magical place.”

12 people were initially charged in the case. One has died and another was excused due to illness. French media nicknamed the group les papys braqueurs — “the grandpa robbers” — but prosecutors insist they were far from harmless.

The accused face charges including armed robbery, kidnapping and criminal conspiracy. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.

Kardashian said she was grateful for the chance to speak. “This is my closure,” she said. “This is me putting this, hopefully, to rest.”

The trial is expected to conclude on 23 May.

Agency inputs