J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk Named in Criminal Complaint Over Alleged Cyber Harassment of Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif

August 16, 2024 World Crime & Legal

J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk have been named in a criminal complaint filed in France over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against Algerian boxer and Olympic champion Imane Khelif.

The complaint, lodged by Khelif’s attorney, Nabil Boudi, marks a new chapter in the ongoing controversy that has surrounded Khelif throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics. The lawyer representing the Algerian boxer confirmed to Variety that the complaint is aimed at the authors of social media posts and not the social media platforms that they used.

The complaint was formally submitted to the Paris Prosecutor’s Office’s National Center for the Fight Against Online Hatred on August 13, 2024. The office confirmed the receipt of the complaint and announced the initiation of an investigation.

The investigation will focus on multiple charges, including cyber harassment due to gender, public insult because of gender, public incitement to discrimination, and public insult because of origin.

The legal action specifically targets X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, though it allows for investigation into any individuals who may have participated in the harassment, even those who posted under pseudonyms. According to Boudi, the complaint also references controversial public figures like Rowling and Musk, as well as former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is likely to be scrutinized as part of the investigation.

Khelif, who recently clinched the gold medal in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing competition, was at the center of a heated and global debate regarding her gender eligibility during the Olympics. Despite being born female and supported by the International Olympic Committee, which affirmed that she is biologically female, Khelif was subjected to widespread online abuse and accusations, predominantly on social media platforms.

The controversy gained further traction when high-profile figures publicly commented on Khelif’s gender. Rowling, known for her outspoken views on gender issues, posted a message to her 14.2 million followers accusing Khelif of being a man who had unfairly competed against women. Rowling posted a picture from Khelif’s fight with Italian boxer Angela Carini. The author of the Harry Potter children’s book series accused Khelif of being a man who was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.”

Musk shared a post from swimmer Riley Gaines that claimed “men don’t belong in women’s sports.” The owner of X (formerly known as Twitter) co-signed the message by writing: “Absolutely.”

Trump also weighed in, sharing a picture of Khelif’s match accompanied by the message: “I will keep men out of women’s sports!” Khelif’s lawyer said that because of his post, Trump “will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”

Although the lawsuit was filed in France, Boudi indicated that it could have international implications. He pointed out that the French prosecutor’s office has the capability to request mutual legal assistance from other countries, including the United States, to pursue the case.