Both Elon Musk and JK Rowling could face huge fines and possibly even a prison sentence if Imane Khelif wins her cyberbullying lawsuit.
The Algerian boxer made headlines during this year’s Olympics after becoming embroiled in a gender eligibility test row.
It was Khelif’s fight against Italy’s Angela Carini that propelled her into the spotlight as the pair only exchanged a few punches before Italian boxer abandoned the bout altogether. The fight lasted just 46 seconds.
Reports later surfaced that Khelif was disqualified from the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships as she failed an unspecified ‘gender eligibility’ test.
Imane Khelif won gold at the Olympics. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Khelif was born a woman and is listed as a woman in her passport.
As for the Paris Games, the athlete was deemed eligible to compete by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and ended up taking the gold medal after winning the women’s 66kg boxing final against China’s Yang Liu.
Khelif’s participation in the Olympics led to protests from a few famous faces, including Musk and Rowling.
Following the conclusion of the sporting tournament, the boxer has launched a lawsuit against a handful of individuals who’ve been named by French authorities as having committed alleged ‘acts of aggravated cyber harassment’.
Nabil Boudi, the attorney for Khelif, told Variety both Musk and Rowling were named in the complaint which was filed with the anti-online hatred center of the Paris public prosecutor’s office.
JK Rowling was named in the lawsuit. (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
The Harry Potter author took to Twitter during the Olympics, where she referred to Khelif as a ‘male’.
Rowling also accused the boxer of ‘enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered’.
As for Musk, he shared a post from American swimmer Riley Gaines that claimed: “Men don’t belong in women’s sports.”
Musk added: “Absolutely.”
Musk was also named in the lawsuit. (Richard Bord/WireImage)
Boudi also said Donald Trump could also be part of further investigations.
The former US president took to his Truth Social outlet to say: “I will keep men out of women’s sports.”
Khelif’s lawyer explained: “Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”
While the complaint mentions specific names, Boudi went on to state ‘what we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary’.
If the likes of Musk and Rowling lose the case to Khelif they could face time behind bars. While cyber-bullying offenses in France also carry hefty fines.
UNILAD has reached out to Elon Musk and JK Rowling’s representatives for comment.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has taken home gold in the women’s welterweight boxing final at the Paris Olympics on Friday night (August 9).
The athlete beat China’s Yang Liu on points, rounding up the match to a score of 5-0.
Throughout her Olympic run, Khelif has been subjected to intense controversy after Italy’s Angela Carini abruptly requested to end their match after 46 seconds. Carini has since apologized.
Khelif has won gold in the 66kg final. (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Khelif allegedly failed an unspecified gender eligibility test in 2023, subsequently resulting in her disqualification from the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) World Championships.
The International Olympics Committee notably withdrew its recognition of the IBA as a global governing body last year, citing several reasons for doing so including issues with ethics, finance, and governance.
The Olympic committee further condemned the IBA’s gender test, claiming it as ‘not legitimate’ and ‘does not deserve any response’.
Khelif’s initial match against Carini shrouded her Olympic run with controversy. (Fabio Bozzani/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Khelif was born and raised as a girl and is listed as a female on her passport.
On August 4, the 25-year-old athlete opened up on the effects of the controversy to SNTV sharing in Arabic: “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects.
“It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.
“I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply.
“They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.”
The Algerian boxer is making history for the Arab region. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
“I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth.
“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion.
“I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal. I will certainly be competing to improve (and) be better, and God willing.
“I will improve, like every other athlete.”
Khelif’s father also weighed in on the matter telling the Daily Mail: “Imane is a little girl that has loved sport since she was six years old, she used to play football.
“These critics and rumours aim to destabilise Imane, they don’t want her to be the champion of the world.
“I tell her prove them wrong in the ring and I hope that she will honor Algeria and Arabic countries and win the gold medal. She is our role model, and we want to be like her and honor Algeria and Tiaret.”
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has won the semi-final in Olympic boxing against Thai boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng as she battles it out for gold next.
On Tuesday (August 6), Khelif won her semi-final match in the women’s 66kg competition against Suwannapheng, officially taking her through to the final on August 9.
Khelif was captured celebrating her win, running to the sidelines to hug her team.
Credit: UNILAD