Imane Khelif cyber harassment lawsuit includes J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, Donald Trump

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, the newly crowned Olympic champion, filed a criminal complaint with French authorities alleging “aggravated cyber harassment” against multiple individuals.

Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, confirmed to Variety that the lawsuit includes high-profile figures like J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump.

Khelif faced a barrage of online abuse and accusations questioning her gender eligibility during the Paris Olympics. Despite the IOC's clear stance that she met all criteria to compete, a wave of misinformation and hateful comments circulated on social media.

Rowling, Musk, and Trump were among those who publicly questioned Khelif's eligibility, fueling the online firestorm. Their comments, shared with millions of followers, amplified the harassment the boxer endured.

Rowling's involvement included a post where she shared an image of Khelif’s fight and made derogatory comments about her gender.

Musk supported a tweet from Riley Gaines that criticized the participation of transgender individuals in women’s sports, endorsing it with a simple agreement. 

Donald Trump also contributed to the debate with a tweet reinforcing exclusionary views on women’s sports.

Boudi's complaint targets X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and seeks a broader investigation into the individuals responsible for the abuse. 

While the lawsuit specifically mentions Rowling, Musk, and Trump, it also aims to hold accountable any other person involved in the online harassment campaign.

The lawyer emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating that cyber harassment is increasingly recognized as a crime with potential prison sentences. 

Logan Paul, another notable figure, posted a critical message about Khelif’s victory, which he later removed, admitting potential misinformation. 

Despite these retractions, Boudi stressed that the focus of the lawsuit remains on the harmful content of the posts rather than on the platforms themselves.

The French Foreign Ministry and US State Department both criticized the actions of those involved, with the French Ministry condemning the invasion of Khelif’s personal space and the US State Department denouncing such unilateral actions as inappropriate.

The lawsuit, while initiated in France, could have international ramifications, with potential collaboration with US authorities to address the issue of online hate. Boudi indicated that the prosecution aims to hold all responsible parties accountable.

He expressed confidence in the French judicial system's ability to pursue the case, including potential international cooperation.

Khelif's coach, Pedro Diaz, described the impact of the bullying on his athlete, calling it "incredibly affecting." 

He praised Khelif's resilience and determination, which ultimately led to her historic gold medal victory.