Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer, has filed a criminal case against J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk for ‘acts of aggravated cyber harassment’. Variety reports that Khelif has complained to the French authorities about the internet harassment she endured while competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Imane Khelif’s Lawsuit Against X
In order to ‘ensure that the prosecution has all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people,’ including those who may have used pseudonyms to disseminate hate, Boudi clarified that the complaint was brought against X (previously known as Twitter). Filing it against X, according to French law, indicates that the complaint was brought against unidentified parties, allowing Khelif’s team to choose who is named in the lawsuit.
Prominent Personalities Named
Nonetheless, prominent individuals such as Musk
and Rowling are nonetheless mentioned in the case. Boudi confirmed to Variety that “J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others.” Furthermore, he stated that the probe would include Donald Trump, stating, “Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”
The Fight That Raised The Questions
In addition, Boudi made it clear that while the complaint already identifies a few individuals, he hopes the “prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.” If the case proceeds to trial, he said, it may also “target personalities overseas.” After her bout with Angela Carini of Italy, Imane Khelif faced a barrage of hate mail and false information on the internet about her eligibility to compete in the boxing competition for females at the Olympics.
The Comments In Question
During the peak of the incident, Rowling accused her of being a male who was ‘enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head’ and shared an image from Khelif’s fight with Carini on Twitter. Regarding Musk, the billionaire wrote, “Absolutely,” in response to a remark made by swimmer Riley Gaines, who stated that “men don’t belong in women’s sports.” With a photo from Khelif’s battle with Carini, the former president Trump also sent a statement on social media, saying, “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”
Is Imane Khelif In The Wrong?
Khelif’s passport lists her as a female, as she was medically designated so at birth. Throughout her Olympic career, the boxer succeeded despite the outpouring of abuse on the internet, taking home gold in the women’s 66kg final. Imane Khelif’s complaint is one among multiple regarding internet harassment during the Olympics in Paris. As such, investigations are being conducted against all of them. The creative director of the opening and closing ceremonies, Thomas Jolly, submitted a complaint with the police in which he claimed to have been the recipient of threats and insults, Other complainants include DJ Barbara Butch and well-known drag queen Nicky Doll. Butch said that since the opening ceremony, she had been the target of insults, threats of death, and online harassment.