Khelif names Musk and Rowling in cyberbullying lawsuit
During the Olympics, Imane Khelif becomes the target of an intense gender debate. After her gold medal victory in Paris, the Algerian boxer files a complaint with the Paris prosecutor's office for cyberbullying. It is revealed that Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling are part of the investigation.
During the Olympics, Imane Khelif finds herself at the center of a heated gender debate. But after her gold medal win, the Algerian boxer fights back against the online harassment she's experiencing and files a complaint with the Paris prosecutor's office for cyberbullying. Named in the complaint, alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling. This is reported by Khelif's lawyer Nabil Boudi to the US magazine "Variety". The Paris authorities confirm to AFP that an investigation has been launched.
Originally, the complaint concerns the platform X, which under French law means it is directed against unknown persons. However, Boudi explains that "we have ensured that the prosecutor's office has the full scope to investigate against all persons, including those who may have sent hate messages under pseudonyms." Despite this, some well-known personalities are named in the complaint.
"Among them are J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk," reports Boudi, adding that US presidential candidate Donald Trump is also part of the investigation. "Trump tweeted, so he will inevitably be investigated as part of the prosecution, whether he is named in our complaint or not."
Prominent figures attack Khelif on X
From the start of the competitions in Paris, a loud debate erupts around Khelif's gender, which goes global. The 25-year-old was born a woman and does not identify as transgender or intersex. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) supports her participation in the women's competitions. "Scientifically speaking, a man is not fighting against a woman here," they state. Nevertheless, Khelif becomes the target of hate comments and speculations about her gender. Most of these attacks occur on social media, especially on X. And as prominent figures join the debate, the controversy reaches a new level.
Rowling posts a message to her 14.2 million followers with a picture of Khelif's fight against Italian boxer Angela Carini, accusing Khelif of being a man who "enjoys the suffering of a woman he just hit on the head." Musk, meanwhile, shares a post by swimmer Riley Gaines claiming that "men do not belong in women's sports." The X owner agrees, writing: "Absolutely." Trump, on the other hand, posts a picture of the fight against Carini with the message: "I will keep men out of women's sports!"
American influencer Logan Paul also attacks Khelif online. After her victory against Carini, he posts on X: "Pure evil is unfolding before our eyes. A man is allowed to beat up a woman on the global stage and destroy her life's dream while fighting for her deceased father. This madness must end." Paul later deletes the post and admits that he "may have spread misinformation."
However, Boudi says that such apologies - including those received by Khelif personally - do not change the facts of the case. "The complaint has been filed and the facts remain."
Boudi explains further that the complaint does indeed mention names, saying, "But we ask that the prosecutor's office investigates not just these individuals, but anyone they deem relevant. If the case goes to court, they will have to answer for their actions." He adds that while the complaint was filed in France, "it can also target individuals abroad." The Paris prosecutor's office can seek international legal assistance to combat online hate speech.
Regarding X, Boudi states that the complaint targets the authors of posts, not the platforms themselves: "It's the responsibility of legislators to impose sanctions on platforms, not ours." However, he notes that cases of cyberbullying are now taken much more seriously by judicial authorities, and in some instances, have resulted in prison sentences.
"Most Beautiful Victory in My Career"
Khelif's coach, Pedro Diaz, tells "Variety" that the bullying Khelif endured during the Olympics had "incredible effects on her and everyone around her": "I've never seen anything so disgusting in my life."
Diaz also reveals that he asked Khelif not to look at social media to keep her focus on winning the gold medal. "She's so smart and has an incredible drive," Diaz says, calling Khelif's gold medal win "the most beautiful victory in my career as a coach."
Despite the intense cyberbullying she faced on social media platform X, Imane Khelif triumphantly defends herself by filing a complaint with the Paris prosecutor's office. During her gold medal victory celebration, she sings, "♪ I'm not going to lie ♪," expressing her victory despite the adversity she endured.
