Kim Kardashian takes stand in Paris trial over 2016 armed robbery, says she thought she was going to be raped and killed

Paris — Kim Kardashian took the witness stand Tuesday within the trial over the 2016 armed robbery wherein a masked gang made off with $10 million value of her jewellery as she visited the French capital. Kardashian testified that one member of the gang pulled her to him whereas she was in only a bathrobe.

“I used to be sure that was the second that he was going to rape me,” Kardashian mentioned. “I completely did suppose I used to be going to die,” she added.

“I considered my sister, thought she would stroll in and see me shot useless and have that reminiscence in her perpetually,” she informed the courtroom, in line with the Reuters information company.

Kardashian testified the theft occurred at round 3 a.m. at her resort. She was in mattress about to go to sleep when she heard individuals stomping up the steps after which getting into her bed room sporting police uniforms.

Kardashian mentioned that when they acquired inside her suite, the masked thieves pointed a gun at her.

“Then I heard one of many gents forcefully say, ‘Ring! Ring!’ in English, with an accent, pointing,” she informed the courtroom, in line with Reuters, apparently referring to the $4 million diamond ring given to her by her then husband Kanye West, now often called Ye. The couple settled for divorce in 2022.

“It was on the finish of the mattress, so he grabs my leg and pulls me towards him on the mattress so the gown is opened and all the pieces is uncovered,” Kardashian mentioned. “And that was the second after I thought he would rape me. However he ended up tying me up and closed my legs.”

Throughout Tuesday’s testimony, Kardashian additionally responded on to one of many defendants after she was learn an apology letter in courtroom.

“I forgive you,” Kardashian informed Aomar Aït Khedache, the person alleged to be the brains behind the theft, after his lawyer learn a letter to the courtroom despatched by his consumer to the superstar a 12 months after the theft, wherein he mentioned he was sorry.  

On the central Paris courthouse the place the trial is happening, there was intense safety and crowd management measures in place. The courtroom opened early to permit journalists and members of the general public entry forward of Kardashian’s afternoon look.

Flanked by 4 bodyguards, Kardashian entered the courthouse by the rear entrance. As she mounted the stone steps, she turned, took off her darkish sun shades and smiled on the gathered crowd of followers, curious passersby and press photographers.

Wearing black, along with her hair up in a chignon, the superstar was accompanied by her mom, Kris Jenner.

The listening to was not broadcast publicly, as France hardly ever permits cameras in courtrooms. Some 400 reporters utilized to attend the trial, however there have been solely 40 locations allotted for media contained in the courtroom. A aspect room was arrange for 200 extra journalists to observe a stay transmission from contained in the courtroom.

Kardashian’s attorneys said she was determined to testify in particular person concerning the evening she was allegedly tied up and robbed at gunpoint whereas she was in Paris for Trend Week. Ten individuals — 9 males and a girl — face fees together with theft and kidnapping in opposition to the American media persona and the concierge of the residence the place she was staying on the evening of Oct. 2, 2016.

Earlier than the superstar took the stand herself, her longtime friend-turned-stylist Simone Harouche informed the courtroom on Tuesday that she heard Kardashian begging for her life through the assault within the resort suite they have been sharing.

“‘I’ve infants and I have to stay!’ That’s what she saved on saying, ‘Take all the pieces. I have to stay,'” Harouche informed the courtroom. “I used to be scared that she was raped or violated. I assumed the worst.”

Prosecutors have informed the courtroom that that when the gang, dressed as cops, arrived on the luxurious suites resort recognized solely as “The No Handle” the place Kardashian was staying, they demanded that the concierge, at gunpoint, information them to “the rapper’s spouse,” a reference to her then husband.

In interviews and on her household’s actuality TV present, Kardashian has described being terrified through the intrusion, considering she was going to be raped and killed.

“They dragged me out to the hallway on prime of the steps, that is after I noticed the gun, like clear as day,” she mentioned on her present “Protecting Up with the Kardashians,” including: “It makes me so upset enthusiastic about it.”

The robbers, a few of whom escaped on bicycles, have been dubbed “the Grandpa robbers” as a lot of the suspects have been of their 60s on the time of the heist.

As they fled, they dropped a diamond and platinum cross that was discovered the subsequent morning by an area resident. The remainder of the haul has not been recovered.

The DNA of two of the accused was discovered on the scene, and so they have admitted collaborating within the theft. Khedache, now 69, is accused of masterminding the heist. Referred to as “Previous Omar,” he reportedly informed investigators he had no concept who Kardashian was, however had heard from a waiter pal concerning the superb jewellery she wore when she was out eating in Paris.

Khedache wrote to Kardashian in 2017, whereas he was in custody, to apologize. Her attorneys mentioned he wrote after he heard her converse of how traumatic the expertise had been.

“I wish to attain out to you as a human being to inform you how a lot I remorse my actions, how a lot I used to be moved and touched to see your tears,” Khedache wrote. “After all, we can not undo the previous however I hope this letter will make you step by step neglect the traumatism you skilled by my fault.”

Kardashian wept as she listened, then mentioned: “I respect the letter. I forgive you for what occurred. That mentioned, it would not change my trauma nor the truth that my life was modified perpetually.”

Khedache responded: “Your forgiveness is just like the solar lighting me up. Thanks.”

Yunice Abbas, the 71-year-old who has already admitted in courtroom that he was the lookout, informed Kardashian: “I formally, sincerely apologize.”

In courtroom on April 29, he expressed “whole remorse” for his half within the heist. He mentioned he understood afterward that, “while you steal a woman’s purse, it may be traumatic” for her.

A police officer who testified for the prosecution informed the courtroom Kardashian appeared “traumatized” within the quick aftermath of the theft.

Attorneys for a number of the accused expressed concern because the trial opened final month that Kardashian’s fame would distract from the necessities of the case.

Chloe Arnoux, who represents Khedache, informed reporters: “He’s, the truth is, quite apprehensive about seeing all you, journalists, as a result of he’s afraid that his case is not going to be handled the identical manner it might be if there weren’t such a well-known particular person concerned in it.”

Kardashian’s lawyer Michael Rhodes mentioned in April that the truth TV star and entrepreneur had ”super appreciation and admiration for the French judicial system,” and ”needs for the trial to proceed in an orderly vogue in accordance with French regulation and with respect for all events to the case.”

contributed to this report.