J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk are among those named in a criminal complaint by Algerian boxer Imane Khelif concerning alleged ‘acts of aggravated cyber harassment.’
A Variety report indicates that Khelif lodged the complaint with French authorities due to online harassment she faced during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s Paris-based lawyer, confirmed to Variety that both Musk and Rowling are cited in the complaint, which was submitted to the anti-online hatred branch of the Paris public prosecutor’s office on Friday (August 9).
Boudi stated that the lawsuit was filed against X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) to ‘ensure that the prosecution has all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people,’ including those who might have used pseudonyms to engage in hateful activities.
Under French law, filing the complaint against “X” targets unknown persons, allowing Khelif’s legal team flexibility in determining who may be included in the lawsuit.
The complaint, however, does name prominent public figures including Rowling and Musk.
“J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” confirmed Boudi to Variety. He further mentioned that Donald Trump is also under scrutiny, explaining, “Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”
Boudi elaborated that while the complaint already mentions specific names, he anticipates that the ‘prosecution will investigate not only these individuals but whoever else it deems necessary.’ He added that those implicated could stand trial if the case proceeds to court and that the investigation could ‘target personalities overseas.’
This legal action follows intense online harassment and the spread of misinformation about Khelif’s eligibility to compete in the women’s boxing category at the Olympics, which intensified after her match against Italy’s Angela Carini.
During the peak of the controversy, J.K. Rowling shared an image from Khelif’s match against Carini on Twitter, claiming that Khelif was a man who was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.”
Elon Musk responded to a tweet by swimmer Riley Gaines, which stated “men don’t belong in women’s sports,” by affirming, “Absolutely.”
Former President Trump also weighed in with a tweet featuring a photo from Khelif’s bout, declaring, “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”
Khelif, who was assigned female at birth, is officially recognized as female in her passport.
Despite facing intense online backlash, Khelif excelled in her Olympic journey, securing the gold medal in the women’s 66kg boxing category.