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Imane Khelif targets Elon Musk, Donald Trump, J.K. Rowling, and more in harassment suit

Boxing champ files criminal complaint against high-profile figures for fueling online hate

Olympic Champion Imane Khelif names controversial figures in explosive...
Olympic Champion Imane Khelif names controversial figures in explosive legal complaint filed in (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)LAPRESSE
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In a surprising twist worthy of one o fher own books, J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk find themselves entangled in a legal battle after being named in a criminal complaint filed in . The complaint, linked to alleged cyber harassment, targets none other than Algeria's boxing sensation, Imane Khelif, fresh off her triumphant Olympic gold win. This explosive lawsuit, handled by Paris-based attorney Nabil Boudi, sets the stage for a potential showdown involving some of the world's most influential figures.

Khelif's lawyer, Boudi, dropped the bombshell to Variety, revealing that both Rowling and Musk are listed in the complaint, filed with 's anti-online hatred center. The legal maneuver, known as a filing against "unknown persons" under French law, is a strategic move to cast a wide net, potentially ensnaring anyone hiding behind anonymous s spewing hate. And it's not just Rowling and Musk on the radar-Donald Trump's controversial tweets have also caught the prosecutor's attention.

The drama unfolded during the 2024 Paris Olympics when Khelif, competing in the women's 66-kilogram boxing division, became the unwitting target of a vicious online storm questioning her gender. Despite her birth as female and the International Olympic Committee's firm backing, the harassment was relentless, fueled by misinformation and bigotry. The vitriol reached new heights when high-profile figures like Rowling and Musk added fuel to the fire.

Rowling, never one to shy away from controversy, took to X and unleashed a storm, accusing Khelif of being a man and reveling in her opponent's pain. Musk, not to be outdone, backed a similar sentiment from swimmer Riley Gaines, endorsing the claim that "men don't belong in women's sports." And then there was Trump, who didn't hold back, declaring his intent to keep "men out of women's sports" alongside an image from Khelif's match. It was social media mayhem at its finest.

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While the complaint names these big players, Boudi emphasized that the investigation is far from limited to them. The prosecutor has the green light to dig into anyone linked to the harassment, regardless of their celebrity status or location. This international pursuit could even see legal cooperation between and the U.S., turning this into a global hunt for justice.

Adding another twist to the saga, YouTube star Logan Paul also ed the fray, blasting Khelif on X in a now-deleted post. Paul's rant about a man "beating up a woman" during the Olympics only added to the misinformation swirling around Khelif. Though Paul later backtracked, itting he might have been spreading falsehoods, the damage was done, and the lawsuit presses on.

Boudi made it clear that no amount of apologies will derail the investigation. The legal wheels are in motion, and those involved-whether through direct harassment or by stoking the flames-will have to face the music. And while the focus is on the individuals responsible, there's a growing recognition that the platforms themselves may soon face their day of reckoning.

Khelif's coach, Pedro Diaz, who guided her through the Olympic storm, opened up about the toll the harassment took on the young champion. Describing the situation as "disgusting," Diaz, who has trained multiple Olympic winners, said he had never witnessed such a brutal attack outside the ring. Despite the chaos, Khelif stayed focused, avoiding social media and channeling her energy into clinching that gold medal-an achievement Diaz called the pinnacle of his coaching career.

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