Paris: Nearly nine years after she was tied up at gunpoint and robbed of millions in jewellery, Kim Kardashian will testify in a Paris court today, facing the men accused of orchestrating the infamous 2016 heist that shocked the celebrity world.

The trial, which began in late April, has seen ten suspects—mostly elderly men with colourful underworld nicknames—stand accused of planning and executing one of the most audacious celebrity crimes in recent history. French media have dubbed it the "heist of the century."

Kardashian, who has remained engaged with the legal proceedings from the United States, will appear at the historic Paris courthouse on Ile de la Cité at 2:00 pm local time (1200 GMT), in what is expected to be a moment of high drama. Over 500 journalists are accredited to cover her testimony, while fans and onlookers have started gathering in hopes of catching a glimpse of the global icon.

Her lawyers, Leonor Hennerick and Jonathan Mattout, confirmed she would attend “with dignity and courage,” saying Kardashian is ready to “confront” the men who terrorised her during Fashion Week in 2016.

The night of the heist

On the night of October 2-3, 2016, Kardashian—then 35—was staying at an exclusive private hotel residence when masked men, dressed as police officers, broke in. She was held at gunpoint, bound, gagged, and locked in the bathroom while the intruders made off with jewellery valued at over $10 million.

Among the stolen items was a massive 20-carat diamond ring gifted by her then-husband Kanye West, estimated at €3.5 million ($3.9 million).

According to the investigation, the gang appeared to have inside knowledge of Kardashian’s whereabouts and lack of security at the time. One key piece of evidence points to a tip-off from Gary Madar, brother of Kardashian’s Paris driver. While his lawyer dismissed the claim, citing Kardashian’s then 350 million followers already tracking her movements, prosecutors believe it played a role.

“Old Omar” and the gang

The accused include Aomar Ait Khedache, 68, known by his nickname "Old Omar," who has admitted to tying up Kardashian but denies masterminding the robbery. Another accused, 71-year-old Yunice Abbas, even wrote a memoir about the heist, in which he describes comically tripping over his own bag of stolen goods while escaping on a bicycle.

Investigators were able to identify several suspects through DNA evidence left behind, a rare misstep for such seasoned criminals. Most of the defendants are in their 60s and 70s, with histories tied to France’s old-school crime syndicates and names that seem lifted straight from noir cinema—“Blue Eyes,” “Old Omar,” and others.

“They’re quite a team,” said lead investigator Michel Malecot. “But they made some mistakes.”

The trial unfolds

Witness testimony has painted a vivid picture of the chaotic night. Kardashian’s bodyguard, Pascal D., recalled finding her in a “terrible state,” crying hysterically after the robbers fled. Her driver at the time had reportedly been on duty for over 21 hours and had asked for a colleague to cover Kardashian’s night outing—one she ultimately skipped, a decision that may have saved her life.

The suspects face charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. The trial is scheduled to conclude on May 23.

Despite her fame, Kardashian’s appearance is being seen not as spectacle but as a pursuit of justice. Her legal team said she is “genuinely grateful” to French authorities for their diligence and professionalism throughout the investigation.

With global media watching and a high-stakes testimony imminent, Kim Kardashian’s courtroom appearance marks a powerful moment of reckoning in one of the most brazen celebrity crimes of the 21st century.