KUALA LUMPUR – J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, and tech billionaire Elon Musk are among the prominent figures named in a legal complaint filed in France, accusing them of “aggravated cyber harassment” against Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif.
The complaint, filed on August 9, the same day Khelif secured a gold medal in the women’s 66 kg boxing category in the Paris Olympics, also targets the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The American entertainment magazine Variety confirmed the news yesterday, revealing that Khelif’s attorney, Nabil Boudi, is seeking to hold accountable all those involved in the online harassment, including individuals who used pseudonyms to spread hate speech.
“This ensures that the prosecution has all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people,” Boudi stated, emphasising that even high-profile figures like former US President Donald Trump could be scrutinised as part of the probe.
Trump, who is not explicitly named in the lawsuit, could still be implicated due to his involvement in spreading misinformation about Khelif on X.
The controversy surrounding Khelif erupted on August 1, after her opponent, Italian boxer Angela Carini, abruptly withdrew from their Olympic bout just 46 seconds into the match, citing concerns for her safety.
“I had to preserve my life… I have never been hit so hard in my life,” Carini said, a statement that ignited a wave of baseless criticism directed at Khelif.
Figures such as Musk, Rowling, Trump, and Logan Paul were among those who falsely insinuated that Khelif is a transgender woman and questioned her eligibility to compete in women’s athletic events.
Paul later retracted his statement, admitting that he “might be guilty of spreading misinformation.”
Despite the accusations, Khelif, 25, has always been female, and never identified as transgender, and the International Olympic Committee has consistently affirmed her qualifications to compete in the women’s division.
The origins of the false claims can be traced back to the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) decision in 2023 to disqualify Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Li Yu-ting from the women’s world championships.
IBA President Umar Kremlev alleged that genetic testing proved Khelif “had XY chromosomes,” though the results of these tests were never made public. Khelif has consistently challenged the claim.
The IBA has since faced severe repercussions, including a permanent ban from the Olympics following corruption allegations and evidence of match-rigging in the 2016 Rio Games.
Musk and X have been at the centre of controversy as the platform continues to be a major source of online misinformation.
If the French prosecutor’s office proceeds with charges, those found guilty of aggravated cyber harassment could face two to five years in prison and fines amounting to tens of thousands of Euros. – August 14, 2024