Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif Files Online Harassment Complaint Mentioning J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk: Report
The Algerian boxer filed the complaint over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment"
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From Left: J.K. Rowling; Imane Khelif; and Elon MuskAfter facing intense scrutiny and speculation regarding her gender throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics, gold medalist Imane Khelif has filed a criminal complaint over online harassment in Paris — and it includes mentions to both J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk, according to a new report.
The Algerian boxer, 25, filed the complaint against unknown/unnamed persons over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment" and mentions both of the public figures — who are known for their anti-transgender stances and made posts claiming that Khelif was a man — within the complaint, the athlete's attorney, Nabil Boudi, confirmed to Variety. Boudi also confirmed the contents of the complaint to the Associated Press and Reuters.
“J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” Boudi told Variety, with the outlet adding "that Donald Trump would be part of the investigation."
The complaint was posted to the Paris Prosecutor’s Office’s anti-online hatred center on Friday, Aug. 9, the same day Khelif took home the gold medal in the women’s boxing 66-kilogram division.
Related: Imane Khelif's Father Says 'Having Such a Daughter Is an Honor' amid Olympic Controversy
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Imane Khelif at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Aug. 9In a statement, the office confirmed to Variety that it has received the complaint and launched an investigation “into the counts of cyber harassment due to gender, public insult because of gender, public incitement to discrimination and public insult because of origin.”
Boudi called the complaint a “new fight” for the boxer in a press release posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Aug. 10.
“After sporting time, comes judicial time. Having just won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, boxer Imane Khelif has decided to lead a new fight: that of justice, dignity and honor,” the release, translated from French, reads.
“Ms. Khelif contacted the firm, which yesterday filed a complaint for acts of aggravated cyber harassment with the Paris prosecutor's office for the fight against online hatred,” the release continues. “The criminal investigation will determine who initiated this misogynistic, racist and sexist campaign but will also have to focus on those who fueled this digital lynching."
“The unfair harassment suffered by the boxing champion will remain the biggest stain of these Olympic Games,” the release concludes.
Related: Boxer Angela Carini 'Felt Sorry' for Imane Khelif After Olympic Fight Sparked Gender Controversy
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From Left: Imane Khelif and Angela Carini at the 2024 Olympics on Aug. 1Khelif’s gender became the subject of speculation and hateful rhetoric following her Olympic match against Angela Carini on Thursday, Aug. 1, when the Italian boxer bowed out of the match, citing a severe nose injury.
Critics of Khelif — who was assigned female at birth and does not identify as transgender or intersex — argued that she should not be allowed to compete at the Olympics after being disqualified from the 2023 boxing world championships due to failing an unspecified gender eligibility test from the International Boxing Association (IBA), per the AP.
Both Rowling, 59, and Musk, 53, were among the high-profile names condemning the Olympics for allowing her to compete.
The Harry Potter author shared several posts about the Algerian boxer, including one that accused her of being a man who was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.” Musk, meanwhile, reposted a statement from swimmer Riley Gaines stating, “Men don't belong in women's sports,” and wrote, “Absolutely.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the reps for Musk, Rowling and Trump, 78, for comment.
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Outside of the cyberbullying complaint, Khelif also reacted to the controversy that plagued her Olympic experience in conversation with SNTV, a partner of the AP.
“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,” Khelif told SNTV in Arabic. “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people.”
“And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying,” she added.
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