2024 Olympic boxer Imane Khelif has filed a cyberbullying lawsuit following her gender controversy. Among those who were listed in the legal documents were Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling and outspoken billionaire Elon Musk.
According to Variety, the criminal complaint was filed to French authorities over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against Khelif.
Nabil Boudi, the Paris-based attorney of Khelif, confirmed that both Rowling and Musk were mentioned in the complaint. Boudi noted the lawsuit was filed against X, which under French law means it is against “unknown persons.” This “ensure[s] that the ‘prosecution has all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people,” including those who may have written hateful posts under pseudonyms, Boudi explained.
However, the complaint did mention Rowling and Musk. “J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” Boudi explained. He noted Donald Trump would be part of the investigation as part of the cyberbullying lawsuit for his remarks against Imane Khelif as well. “Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”
Although she won the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing competition, Imane spent the majority of her time at the 2024 Paris Games enduring intense cyberbullying and attacks due to questions about her gender. This is due to the International Boxing Association (IBA) banning her in 2023 for failing a gender test. However, the organization did not reveal what kind of tests were done.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed Khelif is a woman and does not identify as either transgender or intersex. She was allowed to box in the Olympics after she presented documentation proving her gender. Khelief previously participated in the 2020 Olympic Games as well.
Imane Khelif’s Attorney Speaks Out About the Cyberbullying Lawsuit
Meanwhile, Imane Khelif’s attorney in the cyberbullying lawsuit told Variety what will happen to those listed in the legal documents.
“What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary,” Boudi explained. “If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”
Boudi further stated that while the lawsuit was filed in France, it would target personalities overseas as well. “The prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech has the possibility to make requests for mutual legal assistance with other countries.”
Boudi then added that there were agreements with the U.S. equivalent of the French office for combating online hate speech.
Although some famed figures online, like Logan Paul, retracted their statements about Imane, Boudi said the fact remains that the comments were made. Boudi added the complaint is aimed at the authors of social media posts and not the platforms themselves