Days after Algerian boxer Imane Kherif filed a lawsuit in France over online harassment he suffered during the 2024 Olympics, several high-profile figures implicated in the case have been revealed.
The complaint filed against X on Friday names both Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling. According to Variety.
“The lawsuit also names J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk, among others,” attorney Nabil Boudi told Variety on Tuesday.
Boudy added that former President Donald Trump will also be involved in the investigation, but it is not yet clear whether he will be named in the indictment.
“Because Mr. Trump tweeted, he will inevitably be investigated as part of the prosecution, whether or not he is named in our case,” the lawyer added.
Kherif won gold in the 66kg category at the Paris Olympics after allegedly failing a gender test at the 2023 International Boxing Association tournament.
Kheriff faced a barrage of criticism after the Italian abandoned the match just 46 seconds into her Olympic opening match against Angela Carini.
In a post by X the day after the fight between Khelif and Karini: Rowling, author of “Harry Potter”“The idea that those who are against men hitting women in the name of sport are doing so because they think Kheriff is ‘transgender’ is a travesty. We are only against it because we have seen men hitting women.”
After the match, former college swimmer Riley Gaines wrote, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports #IStandWithAngelaCarini.”
Musk, who owns X, reposted Gaines’ post, adding, “Exactly.”
The International Olympic Committee defended its decision to allow a bout between Kheriff and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting at this year’s Summer Olympics.
The IOC Previously derecognized as an IBA It will become the governing body of boxing in 2023.
Khelif is listed as female on her passport.
2024 Paris Olympics
“We have seen misleading information being published about two female athletes who will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.” The IOC said in a statement: After Kherif’s first bout, “Both fighters have competed in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.”
“These two athletes were victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. They were suddenly disqualified without due process, as they approached the end of the 2023 IBA World Championships.”
Kherif’s coach, Mohammed Chaua, told reporters shortly before winning the gold medal that his player had been “deeply affected” by what he faced during the Olympics, mostly online.
“Imane is very shocked by the situation. (She) said, ‘Why me?'” Chaua said. “She did not succumb to this campaign (of abuse). She gave them a lesson in ethics.”
Boudy added that other names may emerge as part of the investigation.
“What we are asking is for the prosecution to investigate not only these people but anyone they deem necessary, so that if this case goes to court, they will be brought to justice,” the lawyer told Variety.
Kheriff was given a hero’s welcome after returning home from Paris with the gold medal.
