Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif has filed a criminal complaint in France against tech mogul Elon Musk and renowned author J.K. Rowling, accusing them of “aggravated cyber harassment.” The complaint, lodged last Friday, is part of a broader effort by Khelif’s legal team to address what they describe as a coordinated online harassment campaign targeting her based on her gender. There is also a possibility that former President Donald Trump could become involved in the legal case.
Khelif’s attorney, Nabil Boudi, announced the filing on X, stating: “After the sporting time comes the legal time. Fresh from winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, boxer Imane Khelif has decided to take on a new fight: that of justice, dignity, and honor. Ms. Khelif contacted our firm, and yesterday we filed a complaint for aggravated cyber harassment with the Paris prosecutor’s office’s online hate unit. The investigation will identify those who initiated and fueled this misogynistic, racist, and sexist campaign. The unjust harassment of this boxing champion will remain the biggest stain of these Olympic Games.”
Boudi confirmed to Variety that the complaint specifically names Rowling and Musk, along with other individuals. The filing also allows for the investigation of “unknown parties,” giving prosecutors the ability to examine a wide range of potential suspects involved in the online harassment.
The case could potentially draw in Donald Trump, as Boudi suggested that Trump’s involvement might be scrutinized, even if he isn’t directly named in the lawsuit.
Khelif recently made headlines by winning a gold medal in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing event at the Paris Olympics. However, her victory became controversial when her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, quit the match after just 46 seconds, angrily declaring, “This is unjust!” The International Boxing Association (IBA) has stated that Khelif has competitive advantages over her female opponents, citing rigorous testing protocols.
Khelif and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, both of whom are biologically male but not transgender, competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and have won medals in past world boxing tournaments. However, the IBA disqualified both athletes last year for failing to meet the eligibility criteria for women’s competition, a decision the organization deemed necessary to maintain fairness and integrity in the sport.
Istvan Kovacs, European vice president of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), has publicly asserted that Khelif is biologically male. He claimed that he alerted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about concerns regarding male participation in women’s boxing as early as 2022, but no action was taken. Kovacs emphasized that the issue was not with Khelif’s testosterone levels, but with the results of a gender test that identified Khelif as biologically male.
In response to the controversy, the IOC defended its position, stating that all athletes are entitled to practice sport without discrimination and that the eligibility regulations for the boxing tournament were consistently applied based on athletes’ passports. The IOC also expressed concern over the abuse Khelif and Lin have received and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the human rights of all athletes as outlined in the Olympic Charter and other ethical frameworks.