Olympics: J.K. Rowling And Elon Musk Both Named In Cyberbullying Lawsuit Filed By Olympic Champion Imane Khelif
Nabil Boudi, who is based in Paris and represents Khelif, confirmed to Variety that Musk and Rowling were indeed mentioned in the complaint.
This complaint was registered at the anti-online hatred center of the Paris public prosecutor's office on Friday, August 9.
Boudi explained that the lawsuit was filed against X, formerly known as Twitter.
This approach was chosen to 'ensure that the prosecution has all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people.'
This includes those who may have used pseudonyms to spread hate.
Under French law, filing against X indicates that the case targets unknown persons.
This gives Khelif's team flexibility in deciding whom the suit includes.
Nevertheless, the complaint still specifically mentions public figures including Rowling and Musk.
"J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others," Boudi confirmed to Variety.
He further mentioned that Donald Trump would also be investigated.
"Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution," he stated.
Boudi further clarified that while the complaint already mentions some names, he hopes the 'prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.'
He added that they would stand trial if the case goes to court, and it could 'target personalities overseas.'
Following her match against Italy's Angela Carini, Khelif was subjected to a wave of online hate.
There was also misinformation regarding her eligibility to compete in the Olympics' female category for boxing.
At the height of the controversy, Rowling posted a picture from Khelif's bout against Carini to Twitter.
She accused Khelif of being a man who was 'enjoying the distress of a woman he's just punched in the head.'
As for Musk, the billionaire reacted to a post from swimmer Riley Gaines.
Gaines had stated 'men don't belong in women's sports,' to which Musk simply wrote: "Absolutely."
Former president Trump also shared his thoughts.
He posted his own message with a picture from Khelif's fight against Carini, writing, "I will keep men out of women's sports!"
Khelif was born as a female and is listed as a female in her passport.
Despite the intense online hate, the boxer triumphed in her Olympic run.
She won gold in the women's 66kg final.
