Algerian Olympic champion Imane Khelif has been at the center of a criminal complaint filed with French authorities, alleging “acts of aggravated cyber harassment.” The complaint, confirmed by Khelif’s Paris-based attorney Nabil Boudi, implicates several high-profile figures, including J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk.
The complaint was submitted to the anti-online hatred centre of the Paris public prosecutor’s office. Under French law, the lawsuit was filed against X, or “unknown persons,” allowing the prosecution broad scope to investigate all individuals involved, including those who may have posted under pseudonyms. “J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” Nabil Boudi, the Paris-based attorney of Khelif confirmed, adding that former U.S. President Donald Trump could also be scrutinised. “Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”
Khelif, who secured the gold medal in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, faced a barrage of online harassment concerning her gender eligibility. Although Khelif was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex, she was subjected to widespread accusations and abuse, despite the International Olympic Committee’s assertion that “scientifically, this is not a man fighting a woman.”
The online attacks, particularly on X, intensified when prominent figures joined the conversation. J.K. Rowling, to her 14.2 million followers, posted a picture of Khelif's fight against Italian boxer Angela Carini, accusing Khelif of being a man who was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.” Elon Musk further fueled the controversy by endorsing a post from swimmer Riley Gaines, which argued that “men don’t belong in women’s sports.” Musk added his agreement, stating, “Absolutely.” Trump also weighed in, sharing a photo of the fight with Carini and vowing, “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”
Despite these allegations, Boudi emphasised that the complaint's primary aim is for the prosecution to investigate all individuals involved, regardless of their public status. “What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary. If the case goes to court, they will stand trial,” he explained.
Although the lawsuit was filed in France, Boudi pointed out that it could have international ramifications, as the French prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech can request mutual legal assistance from other countries, including the United States.
Another prominent figure, Logan Paul, also attacked Khelif on social media, declaring, “This is the purest form of evil unfolding right before our eyes. A man was allowed to beat up a woman on a global stage, crushing her life’s dream while fighting for her deceased father. This delusion must end.” Paul later deleted the post and admitted he “might be guilty of spreading misinformation.”
However, Boudi made it clear that such retractions or personal apologies to Khelif would not affect the ongoing investigation. “The lawsuit is filed and the facts remain,” he stated.
The complaint, Boudi clarified, targets the authors of the posts rather than the platforms themselves. He added that while it is up to lawmakers to issue sanctions against platforms, the judicial authorities are increasingly treating cyber harassment cases with severity, sometimes resulting in prison sentences.
Pedro Diaz, Khelif’s coach, expressed his distress over the impact the harassment had on his athlete. “The bullying Khelif endured during her run in the Olympics incredibly affected her and everyone around her,” Diaz said. He described the atmosphere surrounding Khelif's Olympic journey as “a crazy storm outside of the ring” and “the most disgusting thing” he had ever witnessed in his career, which includes coaching 21 Olympic champions. To protect Khelif's focus on winning the gold medal, Diaz advised her to avoid social media.
Reflecting on Khelif’s victory, Diaz remarked, “She’s so smart and has such an amazing motivation,” adding that her gold medal win “felt like the most rewarding victory of my career as a coach.”