Imane Khelif names Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling in ‘cyber harassment’ complaint after Olympics gender controversy

Days after Algerian boxer Imane Khelif filed a legal complaint in France over online harassment she faced during the 2024 Olympics, some high-profile people were revealed as part of the case.

Both Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling have been named in the complaint, which was filed against X on Friday, according to Variety.

“J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” attorney Nabil Boudi told Variety on Tuesday.

Boudi also added that former President Donald Trump would be part of the investigation, but it is not yet clear if he will be named in the complaint.

“Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution,” the attorney added.

Khelif won gold at the Paris Olympics in the 66kg division, which came after she allegedly failed a gender test at a 2023 International Boxing Association competition.

In the wake of beating Angela Carini in an opening-round bout at the Olympics, Khelif faced a barrage of criticism after the Italian conceded the fight just 46 seconds in.

In one post on X one day after Khelif’s fight with Carini, Rowling, the “Harry Potter” author, wrote: “The idea that those objecting to a male punching a female in the name of sport are objecting because they believe Khelif to be ‘trans’ is a joke. We object because we saw a male punching a female.”

After the bout, former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines wrote: “Men don’t belong in women’s sports #IStandWithAngelaCarini.”

Musk, the owner of X, reposted Gaines, adding “Absolutely.”

The International Olympic Committee defended its decision to let Khelif — and Taiwan boxer Lin Yu-ting — fight in this year’s Summer Games.

The IOC had previously stripped the IBA of its recognition as being boxing’s governing body in 2023.

Khelif is listed as being female on her passport.

“We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024,” the IOC wrote in a statement after Khelif’s first fight. “The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.

“These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.”

Khelif’s coach, Mohamed Chaoua, told reporters shortly before she won gold that the boxer was “greatly affected” by what she was facing — largely online — during the Olympics.

“Imane has been greatly affected by this situation. (She said) ‘Why me?’” Chaoua said. “She has not surrendered to this campaign (of abuse). She has given them a lesson in ethics.”

Boudi added that other names could come up as part of the investigation.