Imane Khelif names JK Rowling and Elon Musk in lawsuit – here’s what it could mean for them

Imane Khelif has filed her cyberbullying lawsuit after she was relentlessly and falsely called a man on social media – specifically Twitter / X – whilst she competed in the Paris Olympics. The details have been revealed by Imane Khelif’s attorney in Paris, who has shared to Variety that JK Rowling and Elon Musk have both been named in a criminal complaint filed to French authorities over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against Algerian boxer and newly crowned Olympic champion Imane Khelif. But what could this lawsuit actually mean for JK Rowling and Elon Musk – two prominent figures named as joining in piling on the misinformation that Imane Khelif was born male, or was intersex.

Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s Paris attorney, has explained that the lawsuit is filed against X itself, which “ensure[s] that the ‘prosecution has all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people,” including anyone hiding behind a fake name or an anonymous account – to make sure that everyone can be investigated for any cyber attack on Khelif and her gender.

The International Olympic Committee backed Imane Khelif fully when she found herself in a huge controversy that saw prominent figures like JK Rowling, Elon Musk and Donald Trump claim she was a man. The IOC said “scientifically, this is not a man fighting a woman” and it has been proven that she was born female, and does not identify as intersex as others have claimed. JK Rowling posted a picture of Imane Khelif after her defeat of Italian boxer Angela Carini to her millions of followers saying Khelif was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.”

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But what does this Imane Khelif lawsuit mean for those prominent figures like JK Rowling who aren’t French residents? Boudi explained that the lawsuit could have international implications for those outside France, explaining “it could target personalities overseas,” and pointing out that “the prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech has the possibility to make requests for mutual legal assistance with other countries.”

Boudi also said: “What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary. If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”

The Tab approached representatives of JK Rowling and they declined to comment on the matter.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• ‘Women have been targeted’: Those close to Imane Khelif defend her after false gender row

• ‘It can destroy people’: Imane Khelif emotionally asks for bullying towards her to end

• ‘I want to apologise to her’: Angela Carini is saddened by backlash towards Imane Khelif

Featured image via Shutterstock.