Algerian Olympic Champion Boxer Imane Khelif is currently under investigation by French prosecutors over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” by several high-profile figures, including Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling, during the recent Paris Games, as reported by Variety magazine. Prosecutors reportedly named X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, along with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling in their criminal complaint filed on Friday at the anti-online hatred center of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor’s office has confirmed an investigation has been launched.
Khelif alleges that she was targeted by a “misogynist, racist and sexist campaign” as she competed in the women’s welterweight division, ultimately winning Olympic gold on Saturday. She had previously been disqualified from last year’s IBA World Championships due to failing a gender verification test but was cleared to compete in Paris.
Paris-based attorney Nabil Boudi told Variety that the complaint was posted to the anti-online hatred center of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, with the prosecutor’s office confirming an investigation had been launched. The lawsuit lists J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk as defendants, among others. Former US President Donald Trump would also be a part of the investigation, as he tweeted about the incident, which will likely be scrutinized during the prosecution process.
Boudi emphasizes that the suit was filed against X, which means it is being submitted against unknown persons under French law. This ensures “that the prosecution has all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people.” The 25-year-old Khelif found herself at the center of a gender controversy throughout the Paris Games.
She defeated Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 seconds during a preliminary bout, which sparked outrage online as many claimed that Khelif should not have been competing in the women’s category. Algeria maintains that Khelif is not transgender but is affected by a condition known as hyperandrogenism, characterized by high levels of testosterone and the presence of XY chromosomes.
Following her bout with Carini, J.K. Rowling posted a picture on Twitter of the boxers, accusing Khelif of being a man who was “enjoying the distress of a woman; he’s just punched in the head.” Musk shared a post claiming that “men don’t belong in women’s sports,” captioning it “Absolutely.” Trump’s message about the boxing match was accompanied by the statement, “I will keep men out of women’s sports.
The International Olympic Committee has defended Khelif and accused her critics of spreading misinformation. The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder that public figures must be cautious in their online interactions, especially when it comes to sensitive issues such as gender identity and fair competition in sports.