Kim Kardashian will appear in a Paris courtroom today to testify in the high-profile trial surrounding the traumatic robbery she endured in 2016. At the time, Kardashian, now 44, was staying in a luxury suite during Paris Fashion Week when armed men broke in, restrained her, and stole approximately $9 million worth of jewelry—including a $4 million diamond engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West.

The trial, which began last month, involves 10 defendants, most of whom deny involvement. Originally, 12 individuals were set to face trial, but one has since died and another was excused due to poor health. The case has captured public attention both in France and internationally, not least because of the celebrity at its center.

One of the key witnesses who has already testified is Abderrahmane Ouatiki, the night receptionist at the Hotel de Pourtalès, where Kardashian was staying. Ouatiki recalled being forced at gunpoint to accompany two of the burglars to Kardashian’s suite. He described the terrifying scene, saying Kardashian was "completely hysterical" and "utterly terrified" as a nervous man pointed a gun at her. He said the gunman was aggressive and visibly irritated by Kardashian’s screams.

Three other men allegedly stood watch in the hotel lobby while the robbery was underway. The group made off with cash, phones, and high-value jewels, none of which have ever been recovered. Authorities believe the stolen items were broken down and sold on the black market.

The defendants—dubbed the "grandpa robbers" by French media due to their ages (several are in their 70s)—suffer from various health problems. One is undergoing chemotherapy, and another showed visible tremors during proceedings.

The trial’s most enigmatic figure is 68-year-old Aomar Ait Khedache, believed to be the ringleader. He is deaf and mute and communicated through written notes during his questioning, which were projected in the courtroom for clarity.

Despite their advanced age, prosecutors argue the group operated with precision and professionalism. "They may have made mistakes, but they were still a decent team," a lead investigator from the Banditry Repression Brigade testified. He noted that the gang used burner phones, tied Kardashian with cable ties, taped her mouth, and parked a getaway vehicle nearby—indicating deliberate planning.

Ouatiki also revealed how he tried to act as a mediator during the ordeal, translating the robbers’ demands to Kardashian and attempting to calm the volatile situation. "I didn’t know what he was capable of," he said, referring to the armed robber.

Kardashian was reportedly wearing only a bathrobe at the time, which came undone when the burglars tied her up and moved her to the bathroom. Ouatiki declined to elaborate further out of respect for her dignity. Kardashian later recounted in a 2020 interview with David Letterman that she feared she was about to be sexually assaulted and killed. "I was like, 'Okay, this is the time I'm going to get raped'," she said, adding that her thoughts turned to her sister Kourtney, fearing she would be the one to find her dead.

After the robbers fled, Kardashian was able to free herself and alert her bodyguard, who arrived shortly afterward. She gave a statement to police and flew back to the U.S. that same night.

The aftermath also took a toll on others involved. Ouatiki, an Algerian PhD student in semiotics at the time, said he faced damaging speculation that he may have been complicit. He lost his student visa and returned to Algeria, where he was diagnosed with PTSD. "It was a catastrophe, my life fell apart," he told Le Point.

On Tuesday, Kardashian’s stylist and friend Simone Bretter will testify. She was staying in the same suite but on a different floor and hid upon realizing a break-in was underway.

With nearly 500 journalists accredited to cover the proceedings, Kardashian’s appearance is expected to dominate headlines.

"Testifying will allow her to reclaim agency in this situation and rewrite the ending," said celebrity expert Jeetendr Sehdev. “In 2016, she was the punchline. In 2025, she becomes the narrator.”