American media personality and socialite Kim Kardashian, on Tuesday, took the stand in a Paris courtroom and recounted the “terrifying night in 2016” when she was robbed at gunpoint in her hotel suite during Paris Fashion Week.
“I absolutely thought I was going to die. I thought about my sister, thought she would walk in and see me shot dead and have that memory in her forever,” Kardashian told the court.
The accused—dubbed the “grandpa gang” due to their ages—allegedly stole millions in jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring gifted by her then-husband, rapper Kanye West (now known as Ye).
The gang reportedly dressed in police uniforms and tied Kardashian up with zip ties and duct tape before fleeing.
Describing the moment of the attack, Kim Kardashian said, “We were leaving the next morning so I was just packing up, it was around 3 in the morning. I heard stomping up the stairs when I was in bed.
“And in my bedroom comes in a few police officers, or that I assumed were police officers as they were in police uniforms.
“Then I heard one of the gentlemen forcefully say ‘ring! ring!’ in English, with an accent, pointing.
ALSO READ: French film star, Gérard Depardieu, found guilty of sexual assault on movie set
“I was pretty hysterical, and I just looked at the concierge and told him what is going to happen to us, I have to make it home to my babies.”
She also feared sexual assault during the incident, saying, “He ended up tying me up and closed my legs. I was grabbed, and dragged into the other room and thrown onto the floor, but wasn’t hit, no.”
The court proceedings are part of the “Rue Tronchet” trial, named after the upscale Paris street where the attack occurred.
Ten people are on trial—five of whom face charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, carrying possible life sentences.
The others are accused of complicity or weapons possession.
Her stylist, Simone Harouche, who was present in the apartment during the incident, also testified, describing the terror she felt as she hid in a bathroom and frantically texted for help.
“She was beside herself. She just was screaming and kept saying we need to get out of here, we need help, what are we going to do if they come back,” Harouche said of Kardashian.
Harouche, who has since changed careers and undergone therapy due to the trauma, said the event caused her lasting fear and post-traumatic stress.
Kardashian also spoke about how the experience transformed her relationship with personal safety. “It changed the way that I feel safe at home.
She said, “Now I have between four and six security at home for me to feel safe. I can’t sleep at night if there aren’t multiple security people.”
Fans gathered outside the courthouse early, hoping to show support.
“She inspires us a lot, and we’re here to support her in this trial, which was very traumatic for her,” said social media influencer Leo Saint-Charles. “And there you have it, we hope justice will be done, right?”
(Reuters)
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then