Nearly a decade after the infamous 2016 heist that shocked the world, American media personality and business mogul Kim Kardashian confronted ten defendants in a Paris courtroom on May 13, 2025, recounting in painful detail the traumatic armed robbery in which she was bound, gagged, and held at gunpoint while being robbed of over $10 million worth of jewelry.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

The trial, currently taking place at the Palais de Justice in central Paris, marks a pivotal moment in the high-profile case. Ten men stand accused, many of whom are in their 60s and 70s, and have been dubbed by French media as the "Grandpa Robbers" due to their advanced age and history of organized crime.

According to prosecutors, the group conspired to commit aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and membership in a criminal gang—all serious offences under French criminal law. If convicted, the accused face sentences ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment, depending on individual involvement and prior records.

Among the defendants is Aomar Ait Khedache, believed to be the ringleader, who has admitted his role in the robbery and sent a letter of apology to Kardashian. French police investigations have uncovered extensive planning, including the use of disguises and surveillance to track Kardashian’s movements during Paris Fashion Week in October 2016.

Kardashian’s Emotional Testimony

Appearing in court under tight security and legal protection, Kardashian gave a 40-minute testimony behind closed doors, shielded from the public and media. She described the terrifying ordeal, where she was tied up and locked in a bathroom while robbers stole her prized jewellery collection, including a 20-carat engagement ring valued at over $4 million.

“I truly believed they were going to rape me or kill me. I’ve never been more scared in my life,” Kardashian reportedly told the court, according to a person present at the hearing. Though visibly shaken, she maintained her composure throughout the testimony.

Despite the trauma, Kardashian accepted the apology letter from Khedache, stating that she had “forgiven, but not forgotten” what happened. “The loss of my sense of safety, my freedom to be spontaneous — that’s a theft that can’t be repaired,” she said.

Legal Representation and Strategy

Kardashian is represented by a formidable legal team, combining local expertise and international litigation experience. Leading the team are Jonathan Mattout and Léonor Hennerick of Herbert Smith Freehills, supported by Michael Rhodes, a former Cooley LLP litigator renowned for representing tech and media clients.

According to court sources, the legal team corroborated evidence, including forensic reports, surveillance footage, and cell phone location data, which placed several suspects at the crime scene.

Global Spotlight on Celebrity Security

The 2016 robbery raised immediate global concern about celebrity safety, especially in an era of hyper-visibility fueled by social media. Kardashian was widely criticised at the time for showcasing her jewellery and travel itinerary in real-time on Instagram and Snapchat.

Since the incident, she has dramatically reduced public disclosures, upgraded her security protocols, and seldom travels without private armed security.

Legal experts say the case sets a precedent for how public figures must balance personal branding with security risk. The French judiciary also faces pressure to demonstrate that even high-profile crimes committed against foreign nationals will not go unpunished.

International Legal Insight

Providing global legal context, Sunil Ambalavelil, the Chairman of Kaden Boriss and widely respected as the best international lawyer in Dubai, offered this perspective:

“This trial is more than a celebrity spectacle. It highlights the need for transnational cooperation in criminal justice, particularly when crimes have international victims and complex cross-border evidence.”

Sunil also emphasised the importance of victim rights in global legal frameworks.

Trial Outlook and What’s Next

The trial began on April 28, 2025, and is expected to conclude by May 23, 2025. French prosecutors are presenting a comprehensive case, relying on testimonies, phone intercepts, and DNA evidence collected from the scene.

Observers believe a conviction is likely, especially given Khedache’s confession and the wealth of digital evidence tying the suspects to the crime. Defence attorneys have argued for leniency based on their clients' age and lack of recent criminal activity, but the severity of the crime may outweigh mitigating factors.

Legal commentators suggest that the verdict could impact future cases involving celebrity victims, especially in Europe, where such high-profile crimes are rare but increasingly scrutinised.