Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who recently won the gold medal in the 66kg women’s boxing category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, and JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, for online harassment.

The case has garnered significant attention due to the involvement of high-profile individuals.

According to the Times, Khelif’s legal team, led by French attorney Nabil Boudi, is working with the French Online Hate Prevention Center under the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office to pursue legal action.

The lawsuit also mentions former U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly shared a post on X criticizing Khelif. Boudi stated that Trump could potentially face prosecution as part of the ongoing legal process.

Khelif became a target of online criticism regarding her gender identity following her victory at the Olympics. She, along with Lin Yu-Ting, a Taiwanese boxer who won gold in the 57kg category, faced backlash and accusations questioning their gender.

Khelif has made it clear that she will take legal action against those responsible for the online bullying, including several well-known figures.

JK Rowling sparked controversy by posting a picture on X of Italian boxer Angela Carini, who was defeated by Khelif in just 46 seconds during the round of 16. Rowling accused Khelif of being a “man” and “taking pleasure in punching a woman in the head.”

Elon Musk further fueled the debate by sharing a post by swimmer Riley Gaines, stating, “There is no place for men in women’s sports.” Meanwhile, Trump posted an image of Carini with the message, “I won’t allow men to compete in women’s sports.”

Khelif’s legal team is urging prosecutors to investigate not only the individuals mentioned but also anyone else deemed necessary. Although the lawsuit has been filed in France, it could potentially target individuals residing in other countries.

Neither JK Rowling, Elon Musk, Trump, nor X has responded to the legal action at the time of writing.

The controversy surrounding Khelif and Lin stems from a decision by the International Boxing Association (IBA) to disqualify them before the finals and strip Lin of her bronze medal at the 2023 World Boxing Championships.

The IBA claimed that both boxers failed gender tests, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) later confirmed that the tests were not valid and lacked proper evidence.

As the legal battle unfolds, the actions of Musk, Rowling, and Trump will undoubtedly continue to be scrutinized, raising important questions about online harassment and the treatment of athletes in the public eye.