Kim Kardashian tells accused in Paris jewel heist that she forgives him

Appearing in a Paris court on Tuesday, reality television personality Kim Kardashian offered a surprising statement to the alleged ringleader of the 2016 jewel heist, telling him that she forgives him.

However, the star was quick to clarify that this act of forgiveness does not diminish the profound trauma she experienced during the incident when she was held at gunpoint in her hotel room.

Recounting the harrowing events from May 13, 2025, Kardashian testified emotionally, "I absolutely thought I was going to die." She described the fear, believing she was moments away from being raped and shot.

"I thought about my sister, thought she would walk in and see me shot dead and have that memory in her forever," she tearfully told the court.

She described hearing footsteps upstairs around 3 AM while she was packing. Men dressed as police officers then burst into her room, demanded her ring, and pointed a gun at her.

Kardashian detailed how the suspects tied her up with zip ties and duct tape before stealing millions of dollars worth of jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring from her then-husband, Kanye West.

She recalled pleading with the concierge, asking, "'What is going to happen to us? I have to make it home to my babies'."

While thrown onto the bed, she initially feared being raped, but one of the attackers ultimately tied her legs instead. She clarified that she was not physically hit, but was grabbed, dragged into another room, and thrown to the floor.

The court also heard an emotional moment when a letter of apology from the 69-year-old defendant, Aomar Ait Khedache, known as "Omar the Old," was read aloud.

Visibly emotional, Kardashian responded to Khedache, "I do appreciate the letter for sure, I forgive you. But it doesn’t change the feelings and the trauma and the fact that my life was forever changed, but I do appreciate the letter, thank you."

Khedache, accused of being the ringleader but denying the charge, had his response read out: "Your forgiveness is a sunshine that has enlightened me… I am forever grateful."

The robbery has had lasting effects on Kardashian, prompting her to significantly increase her security presence. She stated that she now requires between four and six security personnel at her home to feel safe and cannot sleep without multiple security people nearby.

Her stylist, Simone Harouche, who was also at the hotel during the attack, testified about the terror they both experienced. Harouche locked herself in the bathroom and alerted Kardashian's sister and bodyguard.

Harouche described Kardashian as being "beside herself" after the robbers left, screaming and desperate to escape the hotel. She also shared that the incident led her to change careers and seek therapy for post-traumatic stress and fear of being around celebrities.

A total of nine men and one woman are on trial. Five men face charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, which could lead to life imprisonment. The others are accused of complicity or unauthorized weapon possession.

As the perpetrators fled, they dropped a cross with six diamonds, which was later found by a passerby and turned over to police. However, the majority of the stolen jewels, including the significant engagement ring, have never been recovered.

Fans of Kim Kardashian gathered early outside the courthouse hoping to secure a seat, expressing their support for the celebrity during the traumatic trial.