Kim Kardashian is set to take the stand in a Paris courtroom next week, nearly nine years after she was robbed at gunpoint in her hotel room during Paris Fashion Week. The trial, which began on April 28, 2025, involves ten defendants, mostly aged over 60, accused of stealing approximately $10 million worth of jewelry from the reality star and businesswoman.
Kardashian's lawyers, Léonor Hennerick and Jonathan Mattout, confirmed her commitment to attending the trial in person. "She is committed to attending the trial in person and confronting those who attacked her," they stated, adding that she will do so with "dignity and courage." Kardashian is scheduled to give her testimony on May 13, 2025, and her representatives have expressed a desire to allow her to share her story in her own words.
The robbery occurred in the early hours of October 3, 2016, when the assailants, allegedly disguised as police officers, burst into Kardashian's hotel room. They are accused of tying her up, gagging her with tape, and placing her in the bathtub before making their getaway with a haul that included an 18.8-carat diamond engagement ring valued at $4 million, a gift from her then-husband Kanye West. This incident marked the largest robbery of an individual in France in two decades.
Most of the stolen jewelry has never been recovered. The only item that police managed to retrieve was a necklace that one of the defendants, Yunice Abbas, dropped while fleeing on a bicycle. Abbas, 71, has publicly admitted his involvement in the robbery but denies the charge of kidnapping. He even authored a book titled "I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian," published in 2021, which has been cited in court as complicating his defense.
As the trial progresses, the defendants have collectively garnered media attention and been dubbed the "grandpa robbers" due to their ages and declining health. They were arrested in January 2017 after police suspected they were planning another robbery. The trial is expected to conclude on May 23, 2025.
In a 2020 interview with David Letterman, Kardashian recounted the harrowing details of the incident, recalling her fear during the ordeal. "I was like, ‘OK, this is the time I’m gonna get raped. Like, deal, this is gonna happen, just prepare yourself,’" she said. "So, I did and then — I don’t know why I’m crying, I’ve talked about this before — and then he tied me up with handcuffs and zip-ties and then duct tape and duct-taped my mouth and my eyes."
Yunice Abbas was the first of the defendants to testify, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging the trauma inflicted on Kardashian. "It opened my eyes," he said, reflecting on the extensive media coverage that followed the robbery. He admitted that he did not feel sympathy for victims before this incident but has since recognized the impact of his actions.
Other defendants include Gary Madar, who is accused of providing information to the gang, and Marc Boyer, who allegedly supplied weapons used in the robbery. Madar has denied the allegations against him, while Boyer expressed regret about his son being surrounded by criminal influences that led to poor life choices.
As the trial unfolds, Kardashian’s presence in court is seen as a powerful statement. Sources close to her have indicated that she feels "empowered" to testify, viewing it as an opportunity to reclaim her narrative after a traumatic experience. "She went through a horrible ordeal, and this is giving her the power to fight back," an insider shared with Us Weekly.
In the courtroom, the atmosphere has been tense as the defendants face serious charges, with the trial drawing significant media attention. The case has sparked discussions around issues of celebrity, crime, and justice, illustrating the far-reaching effects of such high-profile incidents.
As the trial continues, Kardashian's testimony is highly anticipated, not only for the details it may reveal but also for the emotional weight it carries. This is a moment for Kardashian to confront her past and for the justice system to address the crimes committed against her.
The trial is expected to last until May 22, 2025, with many watching closely to see how the proceedings unfold and what impact they will have on Kardashian and the defendants involved.
