Why has Algerian boxer Imane Khelif filed a lawsuit against X, naming Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling?
After being under intense scrutiny as she competed in the Olympics, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed a lawsuit against those who attacked her online.
Algerian boxer was subjected to intense scrutiny and online attacks as she competed in the Olympic Games, where she won a gold medal in the women’s welterweight division.
Misinformation quickly spread on social media regarding her gender, with people calling her transgender, intersex, or a man. The controversy was intensified by her disqualification from the Women’s World Boxing Championships by the International Boxing Association, which is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
Khelif, who was born female and has identified as one her whole life, has decided to take legal action against those who abused her, and her latest move involves several prominent and controversial personalities.
READ ALSO: Khelif’s next opponent: the online haters
Why has Algerian boxer Imane Khelif filed a lawsuit against X, naming Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling?
Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, told Variety that they have filed a criminal complaint to French authorities over alleged “acs of aggravated cyber harassment” suffered by the boxer.
According to Variety, the lawsuit was filed against X, which includes investigating those who wrote hateful messages on the platform. Among those named in the cyberbullying suit are author J.K. Rowling and tech billionaire Elon Musk, both of whom wrote posts attacking Khelif.
READ ALSO: What did Elon Musk’s transgender daughter say about her father?
Rowling uploaded a photo of Khelif taken during her bout against Italian Angela Carini, saying it showed a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.” She thereafter continued to post and repost content on X alluding to Khelif as a man.
Elon Musk, for his part, shared swimmer Riley Gaines’ post that said “men don’t belong in women’s sports.” Musk expressed his agreement by commenting, “Absolutely.”