Kim Kardashian was left shocked when she discovered the age of the group of men who are accused of breaking into her Paris hotel and stealing expensive jewels
A group of pensioners who were dubbed the ‘grandpa robbers’ by French media are currently on trial in Paris charged with stealing Kim Kardashian’s expensive jewels during Paris Fashion Week in 2016. The alleged incident left the reality star, now 44, in a state of “serious terror”.
It’s said a group of armed gunmen burst into the SKIMS founder’s hotel suite in 2016. The robbery allegedly saw the group, whose ages range from 35 to 78, bound and gag Kardashian before stealing £7.5 million of jewellery, which was never recovered.
Her engagement ring from her then-husband, Kanye West, was among the items taken in the heist. In court on Tuesday, Kardashian was joined by her mum, Kris Jenner.
Kardashian told the court how she thought one of the alleged robbers who tied her up during the raid appeared to be a father. She said they wanted her to know she would be unharmed if she remained quiet.
She told the court: “The guy who tied me up saw how frantic I was he whispered to me ‘shhh’. I felt he was a father. It felt like he wanted me to know I would be ok if I shut up.”
The reality TV star went on to admit she was “surprised” at how old the group appeared after she was shown potential images of them by French officials. She said: “I thought they were younger. It was the way he carried me.
“I’m not saying that older people cannot carry, but I was just surprised when I saw the photos of them.”
Hotel receptionist, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, 48, who was handcuffed and forced at gunpoint to lead two armed robbers to Kim’s hotel room, also told the court on Monday: “She was terrified, in a state of hysteria.”
Ouatiki said that when the men burst into the star’s bedroom Kardashian began screaming that she was a mother. “She was in serious terror; it was unbearable to see a woman in that type of distress,” he told the Paris court.
Ouatiki, who is Algerian, was working on his own on the night the robbery took place. He was on the reception desk of an exclusive apartment building in the French capital, known as a ‘no address’ site, where the rich and famous who visit Paris often rented one of its swanky suites.
Ouatiki said that after 2am he saw three masked men “with police jackets on” approach the glass door to reception and gesture to him to open up. Thinking they were police officers, he opened the door.
He said: “They pushed me to my knees and said: ‘We’re here for the money’”. He then claimed they handcuffed him and held another gun to his neck as they asked: “Where is the rapper’s wife?” He revealed he knew that meant Kim.
He went on to explain his version of the events to the court. Ten suspects, whose ages range from 35 to 78, are on trial until 23 May. Some are accused of aiding in the organisation of the robbery. Eight of the accused deny any involvement.
They include Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, and the alleged ringleader, who has publicly admitted kidnapping and robbing Ms Kardashian.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.