Kim Kardashian Set to Testify as Paris Robbery Trial Begins
The courtroom in Paris will be in the spotlight this Monday as ten individuals stand trial for their roles in the shocking 2016 robbery that targeted Kim Kardashian, leaving her shaken and millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry missing.
Nearly eight years after that night, Kardashian — now 44 — is expected to make a much-anticipated court appearance on May 13. Her testimony is one of the most talked-about moments surrounding the trial.
The accused are mostly older men, some in their 60s and 70s, with colorful nicknames like “Old Omar” and “Blue Eyes,” evoking images of old-time heist crews straight out of vintage crime films.
Back in 2016, Kardashian, then 35, was held at gunpoint inside her luxury Paris residence. The robbers tied her up and silenced her with tape before making off with a staggering haul. It remains the biggest robbery of a private individual in France in two decades.
The trial will explore how the criminals learned Kardashian’s exact location during Paris Fashion Week, timing their move perfectly when her bodyguard had stepped out to accompany her sister Kourtney to a nightclub. Investigators believe Kardashian’s frequent online posts about her lifestyle and whereabouts may have made the job easier for the gang.
A Haul Lost to Time
The thieves entered the exclusive hotel around 3:00 a.m., riding bicycles to avoid drawing attention. Once inside, they demanded her diamond engagement ring — a piece famously gifted by Kanye West and valued at around $4 million.
They fled with the ring and other jewels, totaling about $10 million. Only one piece, a diamond necklace, was ever recovered — found on the street during the thieves’ escape.
The entire ordeal lasted around 10 minutes, with Kardashian’s bodyguard rushing back to her aid after being alerted. DNA evidence led authorities to the suspects roughly three months later.
Most of the stolen jewelry was never recovered, with investigators believing the valuables were melted down and sold, possibly in Belgium. Large amounts of cash were seized from the suspects at the time of arrest, but the jewels themselves remain missing.
An ‘Easy’ Target
Twelve people were initially charged, but ten will face trial starting Monday. One suspect passed away earlier this year, and another will be tried separately due to health concerns.
Aomar Ait Khedache, known as “Old Omar,” described the robbery as “easy,” downplaying it as a straightforward job rather than a major heist. His DNA at the scene was crucial in piecing together the case. He admitted to binding Kardashian but denied orchestrating the plan, claiming he was recruited by a mysterious figure close to the star.
His lawyer shared that Khedache now struggles with serious hearing and speech problems, communicating mainly through writing.
Another key figure, Didier Dubreucq, nicknamed “Blue Eyes,” is accused of being one of the two men who entered Kardashian’s room. He denies any involvement.
Yunice Abbas, who allegedly remained in the hotel lobby during the robbery, later drew controversy by publishing a book titled “I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian,” detailing the crime.
Among the accused are individuals suspected of passing on information, including Gary Madar, the brother of Kardashian’s longtime Paris driver, who is accused of leaking her whereabouts — a claim he strongly denies.
Despite the intense public interest, defense lawyers have called for the proceedings to remain focused and respectful. The trial is scheduled to run until May 23.
