In 2016, a shocking celebrity heist unfolded in Paris, leaving Kim Kardashian traumatized. While the details of the robbery involving five armed men have been widely publicized, the experience of the hotel concierge, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, who was also held at gunpoint, has remained largely untold until now.

A new Discovery+ documentary, Inside The Kim Kardashian Heist, sheds light on Abderrahmane's ordeal. This documentary features Abderrahmane's first-hand account of the event, which took place in the early hours of October 3, 2016.

While the robbery itself was a terrifying experience, Abderrahmane reveals that the aftermath brought even greater trauma. He faced accusations of being an accomplice and leaking information to the robbers. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing, but not before enduring a period of intense scrutiny and public suspicion.

The former concierge reflects on the ordeal, stating that the media coverage and false accusations were more damaging than the actual night of the heist. He felt like he was being scapegoated and his life had spiraled out of control. "They lit a fuse that led towards me and made my life explode,” Abderrahmane recalls, highlighting the profound impact of the accusations on his personal and professional life.

As the nine-year anniversary of the heist approaches, the documentary revisits the events that followed the robbery. It features testimonies from key individuals involved, including Abderrahmane, Christophe Korell (the former commander of the Anti-Bandit Brigade who led the investigation), French reporters who covered the story, and even Yunice Abbas, one of the gang members who participated in the crime.

The documentary sets the scene by depicting Kim's arrival in Paris for Fashion Week and her frequent updates on social media. At the time, the Kardashian family's global fame was at its peak, and Kim was a prominent figure. She effortlessly transitioned from a reality TV star to a billionaire fashion icon, attracting attention from around the world. Kim's lavish lifestyle and expensive jewelry were constantly on display through her social media posts.

Jeff Olde, the former head of programming for E!, acknowledges in the documentary that the excessive exposure might have created a dangerous situation. He suggests that the Kardashians' openness came at a cost. "The access they were giving [to their lives] was setting up a dangerous situation," Olde explains, adding that fame often comes with risks, and "Sometimes the devil is going to bite."

On the night of the robbery, Kim attended the Givenchy show with her sister Kendall. After the show, Kendall and their older sister Kourtney went out, but Kim decided to stay at the Hôtel de Pourtalès, an exclusive establishment known as the "no address hotel" due to its lack of signage.

Adding to the sense of vulnerability, Kim posted a message to her millions of followers that she was alone at the hotel. It was around 2:22 AM when Abderrahmane received a Skype call from a friend while working at the reception. The robbers arrived about ten minutes later, changing his life forever.

Abderrahmane, originally from Algeria, was working as a night concierge to fund his Ph.D. studies at the Sorbonne University, focusing on the semiotics of extremist discourse. He recalls that he was filling in for someone else that night when the robbers approached. A group of men dressed as police officers forced him to open the door. He initially believed they were legitimate law enforcement officials.

"Then one pointed a gun at me and pushed me with force," he recounts. "The three of them threw me on the desk and told me, 'We're here for the money.' That's when I realised they were robbers." The feeling of the gun against his neck remains vivid in his memory. The robbers demanded to know if "the rapper's wife" was present.

Under duress, Abderrahmane led the robbers to Kim's suite, where they stormed in and tied her up. Kim recounted pleading with the concierge to translate her pleas to the robbers: "Tell them I have babies; I have to make it home. They can take everything but I have to make it home to my babies."

Both Kim and Abderrahmane were gagged with tape. Kim was left in the bathtub, while Abderrahmane was locked in a closet near the hotel lobby. After the robbers fled, Kim managed to free herself and call for help. Soon after, her bodyguard and emergency services arrived at the scene.

Following the attack, Abderrahmane recalls a brief interaction with Kim. "Kim came up to me...I said 'the most important thing is we are alive' and then she left." The entire incident was captured on CCTV, showing the gang members fleeing the scene.

Kim quickly left Paris on a private jet and maintained a low profile in the aftermath. While a small crew from E! documented the aftermath, Kim later said, "We never felt that we were unsafe before this. This experience changed everything."

Despite escaping physical harm, Abderrahmane's troubles were far from over. Although there was no direct evidence linking him to the crime, the police investigated him as a potential accomplice, given the high level of security at the hotel and Kim's presence.

The police monitored Abderrahmane for weeks, reviewed his call logs, and followed him to see if he would lead them to the criminals. However, he received no support or assistance in dealing with the trauma he experienced. He believed the hotel should have been held responsible for its inadequate security measures that failed to protect Kim.

Abderrahmane expressed frustration, stating, "I was being blamed for the failure of this establishment…even the McDonalds in Paris is more secure than this hotel. The broken doors, the cameras that didn’t work." He also shared that he was wiretapped by the police because he was a suspect. “I am officially a victim," he said. "Imagine if your name was associated with [the crime], the media in France didn’t want to hear it.”

After weeks of surveillance, the police were confident that Abderrahmane was not involved. They then focused on identifying and apprehending the actual perpetrators. The investigation led to the arrest of five men, mostly in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, who were later dubbed the "Grandpa Bandits." Aomar Ait Khedache, a 68-year-old retired restaurant owner, was identified as the mastermind behind the robbery.

Yunice Abbas, who openly discusses his involvement in the documentary, was among the other men with prior convictions. Abbas received a seven-year suspended sentence for his role in the burglary. He explained that Aomar led the operation. Abbas said, "He told me it was the wife of a rapper, that’s all I knew.”

The trial finally took place earlier this year. Kim attended the proceedings in Paris to confront her attackers in person, while Abderrahmane was also present to witness the justice being served.

Four men were found guilty, including Khedache, Abbas, Didier Dubreucq, and Marc-Alexandre Boyer, and received varying sentences. Khedache received the most severe punishment: three years in prison plus five years suspended. Because he had served the time in jail, he was not sent back to detention. The other men who were convicted received the same decision.

Kim expressed her gratitude to the French authorities. She acknowledged that the experience was "the most terrifying experience" of her life and left a lasting impact on her and her family. "While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all.”

In the documentary and in court, Abderrahmane emphasized his pain at being made the scapegoat for the hotel's security failures. He wrote, “Dear Kim, when you feel the cold steel of a gun at your neck, it is the moment when remaining calm can mean the difference of life or death, both our lives. I hope you are feeling better.” Kim later supported him in court.

When asked about his calm demeanor during the attack, Kim responded, “He was with me, not against me. I do believe he is a victim.” However, despite Kim’s acknowledgement and public support, Abderrahmane continues to grapple with the aftermath of the robbery.

Abderrahmane says he still experiences trauma, flashbacks, and nightmares. He harbors resentment over his treatment after the attack. As he asks in the new documentary, “Who can compensate me for everything that’s happened?”