J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk implicated in cyberbullying lawsuit by Olympic champion Imane Khelif

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has named J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk in a criminal complaint alleging ‘acts of aggravated cyber harassment.’

A report by Variety indicates that Khelif submitted the complaint to French authorities, citing online harassment encountered during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s Paris-based attorney, confirmed to Variety that both Musk and Rowling were mentioned in the complaint, which was filed with the anti-online hatred center at the Paris public prosecutor’s office on Friday, August 9.

Boudi stated that the lawsuit targets X (formerly known as Twitter) to provide the prosecution with the ability to investigate all individuals involved, including those who may have used pseudonyms to propagate hate.

Under French law, filing against X means that the case was initiated against unknown persons, allowing Khelif’s team flexibility in determining who is included in the suit.

However, the complaint does mention public figures like Rowling and Musk.

“J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” Boudi confirmed to Variety. He noted that Donald Trump might also be investigated, stating, “Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”

Boudi also expressed hope that the prosecution would investigate thoroughly, targeting not just the named individuals but anyone deemed necessary, emphasizing that those involved could stand trial and that the case could ‘target personalities overseas.’

Following her match against Italy’s Angela Carini, Khelif faced substantial online hate and misinformation regarding her eligibility to compete in the female category for boxing at the Olympics.

During the controversy, Rowling tweeted a picture from Khelif’s bout against Carini, accusing her of being a man who was ‘enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.’

Musk also weighed in, replying to a post by swimmer Riley Gaines stating ‘men don’t belong in women’s sports,’ with “Absolutely.”

Former President Trump added his voice to the mix, posting a picture from Khelif’s fight against Carini with the message, “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”

Khelif is recognized as female in both her birth and passport details.

Despite the online abuse, Khelif succeeded in her Olympic journey, capturing gold in the women’s 66kg final.

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