Kim Kardashian Testifies in Paris Jewelry Heist Trial/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kim Kardashian gave powerful testimony in a Paris courtroom, recounting how she feared rape and death during a 2016 armed robbery. Facing her accused assailants for the first time, Kardashian said the trauma “changed everything.” The case has reignited global conversations about fame, privacy, and digital-age security.
Kim Kardashian Testifies in Paris Robbery Case – Quick Looks
- Kardashian feared rape and death during 2016 hotel heist.
- She confronted her accused attackers in Paris courtroom.
- Robbery suspects allegedly tracked her through social media.
- Over $6 million in jewelry was stolen during Fashion Week.
- Kardashian’s friend heard her pleading, fearing sexual assault.
- Trauma from robbery transformed Kardashian’s lifestyle and security habits.
- Two suspects admitted involvement; others deny charges.
- Trial has spotlighted celebrity vulnerability in the Instagram era.
Kim Kardashian Testifies in Paris Jewelry Heist Trial
Deep Look
PARIS (AP) — In raw, emotional testimony Tuesday, Kim Kardashian told a French court she believed she was about to be raped and murdered as armed robbers stormed her Paris hotel suite during Fashion Week in 2016, leaving her tied up, terrified, and begging for her life.
“I absolutely did think I was going to die,” Kardashian said.
“I was certain that was the moment he was going to rape me.”
Testifying publicly for the first time since the traumatic incident, Kardashian faced the men accused of the $6 million heist that shocked the fashion world and forced a global rethink on celebrity security in the social media era.
A Night of Fear and Survival
“He was pulling me,” she told the court, choking up.
“I didn’t know if they were going to rape me.”
The assailants, some of whom later became known in French media as “les papys braqueurs” or “the grandpa robbers,” tied her up with zip ties and placed her in the bathtub. Her mother-of-two pleas — “I have babies, I need to live” — were heard by stylist and longtime friend Simone Harouche, who was hiding downstairs in the hotel suite.
Harouche’s Testimony Supports Kardashian
Harouche recounted hearing Kardashian screaming in terror and later finding her still bound, hopping down the stairs after the robbers fled.
“She was screaming, ‘Take everything. I need to live,’” Harouche said.
“She was beside herself. She just was screaming.”
The robbery permanently changed Kardashian’s life, said Harouche, who now works in interior design due to PTSD.
“She can’t go anywhere alone now. That freedom is gone.”
Robbery Traced to Instagram Posts
French authorities allege the robbery was carefully planned. Investigators believe the men tracked Kardashian’s movements and possessions through her frequent Instagram posts, including photos of her jewelry and hotel location.
Two of the 10 defendants have confessed to being on the scene. Most are in their 60s or 70s, accused of orchestrating what remains one of France’s most audacious celebrity robberies.
Did Kardashian Invite Danger?
In a moment that sparked tension in the courtroom, presiding Judge David De Pas asked whether Kardashian had made herself a target by showcasing her wealth online.
Harouche rejected the notion forcefully.
“Just because a woman wears jewelry doesn’t make her a target,” she said.
“That’s like saying a woman in a short skirt deserves to be raped.”
Trial of Global Interest
Kardashian’s appearance is seen as the emotional climax of a trial that has captivated France. The high-profile case probes the intersection of fame, digital exposure, and personal security, particularly for women.
While initial criticism after the robbery painted Kardashian as too public, public sentiment shifted as the reality of the trauma emerged — including her fear she might never see her children again.
Kardashian later developed severe anxiety and said she struggled with agoraphobia. She also drastically reduced how much she shared on social media, acknowledging:
“People were watching. They knew what I had. They knew where I was.”
What’s Next?
Twelve suspects were originally charged. One has since died, and another was excused due to illness. The remaining men continue to face a range of charges, from armed robbery to conspiracy and false imprisonment.
The case has reignited concerns over how social media blurs the line between public persona and private vulnerability.
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