Kim Kardashian will appear in a Paris court on Tuesday, nearly a decade after she was robbed at gunpoint during Paris Fashion Week.
The robbery happened in October 2016. Armed men broke into her luxury hotel room and stole jewelry worth about $10 million. It was the most expensive robbery targeting a private person in France in more than 20 years.
The trial began in late April. Ten suspects are facing charges. Most of them are in their 70s, and the media has nicknamed them “the grandpa robbers.” One suspect has died, and another, aged 81, was excused from court because of dementia.
Kardashian, now 44, is ready to confront her alleged attackers. According to her lawyers, she plans to attend the trial “with dignity and courage.”
She is expected to testify at 2 p.m. local time (12:00 GMT) and may speak to the press afterward.
The robbery happened on the night of October 2–3, 2016. Five masked men entered her hotel room, tied her up, and held her at gunpoint. They stole several valuable items, including a diamond ring worth €3.5 million ($3.9 million). The ring was a gift from her then-husband, rapper Kanye West.
Even though the suspects were experienced, they made mistakes. They left behind DNA evidence, which helped police identify and arrest them.
The trial has attracted massive attention. Nearly 500 journalists have registered to cover it at the historic Île de la Cité courthouse in Paris. Crowds of fans are also expected near the courthouse.
Kardashian’s lawyers say she’s “genuinely grateful” to French authorities for how they handled the case and appreciated the respect they showed her throughout the investigation.
The trial is expected to end on May 23.
