Kim Kardashian is set to appear in court in Paris as a witness in a burglary case from 2016, where she was held at gunpoint and had valuables stolen. The reality TV star and businesswoman is expected to give her account of the incident, in which she was tied up and held at gunpoint by robbers in a luxury suite during Paris Fashion Week. Jewelry worth millions, including a $4 million diamond engagement ring from her then-husband Kanye West, were taken from her.
Ten individuals are on trial, which began last month. On Monday, the night receptionist, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, testified that Kardashian was “completely hysterical” and “in a state of complete terror” when the burglars demanded translation. He also feared for his life due to the erratic behavior of a “very nervous” robber pointing a gun at her. Ouatiki was forced to lead the robbers to Kardashian’s suite, where they demanded the ring and stole other valuables worth a total of $9 million. The robbers were arrested three months later, with twelve individuals initially due to face trial. One died in March, and another was excused due to health concerns. The remaining defendants, except for two who deny any involvement, face serious health issues. The alleged ringleader, Aomar Ait Khedache, is deaf and mute and communicated through writing projected onto a screen during his questioning.
The trial aims to dispel the image of the defendants as hapless elderly burglars, as they reportedly did not know their victim was a famous celebrity. Despite making mistakes, the lead investigator acknowledged their competence in executing the heist and selling the stolen goods. Ouatiki also testified about the dangerous behavior of one of the burglars, describing him as stressed and shouting. During a moment when the robbers tied up Kardashian and took her to the bathroom, she was left in a vulnerable state but managed to untie herself shortly after. She gave a statement to police and flew back to the US immediately.
Ouatiki, an Algerian national and PhD student in semiotics at the time, suffered from media speculation that he might have been involved in the heist. He lost his student status and returned to Algeria, where he was diagnosed with PTSD. Simone Bretter, Kardashian’s friend and stylist, who was in the same suite but on a different floor, is also set to testify. The trial has attracted significant media attention, and Kardashian’s testimony is seen as an opportunity for her to reclaim agency and rewrite the narrative of the incident.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj93nprjdyxo
