In the autumn of 2016, during an era where the world's collective Kardashian obsession was in full swing, Kim Kardashian (or Kim Kardashian West, as she was then known) headed to Paris Fashion Week. So far, so normal.
A little over a week earlier, she'd been seen wearing a new piece of jewellery – a huge diamond 'second engagement' ring, from then-husband, Kanye West, and proudly posted pictures of the piece online. Something which sadly caught the eye of a gang of robbers, many of whom are finally on trial this week after a nine-year wait.
During the height of fashion week and in the early hours of 3 October 2016, while Kim was alone in her hotel room, a group of arm men busted in and demanded she hand over her jewellery and any cash/other valuables, tying her up and leaving her in the bathroom.
Today, the first day that the men are in court, we recap the terrifying events of the robbery and its build up.
A timeline of the Kim Kardashian robbery
20 September 2016
Kim's then-husband, Kanye West, gives her a 'second engagement ring' which at the time the press reported is worth $5 million (£3.7 million). Kim proudly posts herself wearing the ring on Snapchat and is also pictured with it on in public.
28 September 2016
Kim arrives in Paris for Fashion Week and is spotted with her older sister, Kourtney Kardashian Barker, along with her mother Kris Jenner. Along with the rest of her entourage, including assistant, Stephanie Shepherd, Kim stays at Hôtel de Pourtalès, a celebrity favourite due to its seemingly discrete nature.
Everyone's clicking on...
2 October 2016
Kim attends more Fashion Week events, including the Balmain and Givenchy shows, and returns to her suite. As Kim decides she wants an early night, it's agreed that her bodyguard, Pascal Duvier, will accompany Kourtney to a nightclub, leaving Kim alone.
The night Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint
3 October 2016: roughly between 2:30 - 3AM
- In the early hours of the morning, five armed men dressed as police officers burst into Hôtel de Pourtalès reception. They threaten and handcuff the Algerian concierge-security guard on duty, Abdulrahman Ouatiki, demanding he take them to Kim’s suite.
- The robbers enter Kim's suite as she's lying on her bed. Later, Kim will recall that she heard footsteps and called out for her sister and Stephanie. When no one answered, she panicked and tried calling 911, the US emergency number, which does not work in France. Kim would also later add while on David Letterman that she immediately felt at risk: "I knew someone was there to get me, you just feel it."
- Kim tries to telephone her bodyguard, Pascal, who is in the club with Kourtney, as robbers enter the room. They demand - via Abdulrahman, the concierge-security guard who is forced to act as an interpreter - she hand over her jewellery, shouting, "The ring, the ring!"
Marc Piasecki//Getty Images Officers outside the hotel where the robbery took place later on that day (3 October 2016) - The men, holding guns, tie Kim up with zip ties and duct tape, via a technique known as 'saucissonnage' (because it makes the person 'resemble a sausage'). She is placed in the bathroom as the robbers ransack her suite looking for more valuables and money.
- The thieves make off with over €10 million (£8.5 million) worth of jewellery, including Kim's new ring worth £3.5 million and other items, as well as €1,000 in cash. They escape on bicycles and foot.
- Kim is freed and able to call for help. Her bodyguard arrives shortly after, and she provides a statement to the police in the early hours of the morning.
3 October 2016
- Kim flies back to the United States and French police begin their investigation, using DNA traces and CCTV footage to identify suspects.
Aftermath and investigation
January 2017
Months later, several suspects, including Yunice Abbas and Aomar Ait Khedache, are arrested. The former will go on to publish a memoir seemingly admitting his role in the heist.
2017 to 2024
The investigation continues, finding that most of the stolen jewellery was melted down or sold. Kim's high-profile engagement ring remains missing.
Who are the suspects in the Kim Kardashian trial?
In total, there are ten suspects who will be appearing in court to speak about the robbery, some key names include:
Aomar Ait Khedache (known as 'Old Omar')
Age at the time of the robbery: 60
Age now: 68
Role: Alleged ringleader of the heist.
History: Known as 'Old Omar', he has a history of criminal activity. His phone records tracked him travelling to Antwerp, Belgium, a hub for diamond trading, after the robbery.
Admission: Admitted to participating in the heist but denies being the mastermind.
Yunice Abbas
Age at the time of the robbery: 62
Age now: 71
Role: Part of the group who entered the building; allegedly stood guard downstairs
History: A career criminal with prior convictions, including a 20-year prison sentence for robbery. He co-wrote a French language book seemingly about the heist titled J’ai Séquestré Kim Kardashian (I Held Kim Kardashian Captive).
Admission: Admitted his involvement, citing financial struggles and viewing the heist as his "last job."
Gary Madar
Age at the time of the robbery: 27
Age now: 35
Role: Alleged accomplice accused of providing information about Kim's movements.
History: Worked as a driver for the Kardashian family. His brother's, Michael, company had long provided transportation services for the Kardashians. Michael is not a defended in the case.
Admission: Denies involvement, with his lawyer arguing there is no proof against him.
A total of 10 individuals are standing trial, with their ages ranging from 35 to 78.
Two suspects are absent from the trial: one has passed away, and another, aged 81, is excused due to advanced dementia.
Eight of the accused deny any involvement, while two (Aomar Ait Khedache and Yunice Abbas) have admitted to their roles in the robbery.
The group has been dubbed the 'Grandpa Robbers' due to their advanced ages and their resemblance to old-school French bandits.
April 2025: the trial begins
28 April 2025
The trial begins in Paris. Ten suspects, aged between 35 and 78, face charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. Two suspects are absent – one has died since the robbery and another has dementia.
8 May 2025
Kim Kardashian is expected to testify in court, which will be her first time speaking with the suspects since the incident. Her lawyer tells press: "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time. She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities. She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case."
23 May 2025
The trial is expected to conclude, with significant media attention on the outcome.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
