- Imane Khelif at the medal ceremony of the women’s 66kg boxing final at the Olympics, August 9, 2024, Paris, France –
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- Ariana Cubillos/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved
French prosecutors have launched an investigation following a complaint of online harassment filed by Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif. The investigation centers around a barrage of criticism and false claims about her gender that emerged after her Olympic victory.
Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
- Complaint Filed: Imane Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, submitted a complaint to the Paris prosecutor’s office on Friday, specifically to its special unit tackling hate speech on the Internet.
- Nature of Harassment: The complaint alleges a “misogynistic, racist and sexist campaign” against Khelif, despite her success in winning gold in the women’s welterweight boxing category.
- Investigation Focus: The prosecutor’s office is investigating allegations of gender-based cyberbullying, gender-based public insults, public incitement to discrimination, and public insults related to origin.
- Controversy Origin: The controversy began after Khelif’s Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew from their fight, leading to false claims online that Khelif is transgender or a man. This misinformation has drawn significant global attention.
- International Response: The International Olympic Committee has defended Khelif and condemned those spreading false information. Notable figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and JK Rowling have been involved in disseminating these false claims.
- Legal Approach: Khelif’s complaint targets social media platforms, such as X (formerly Twitter), rather than individual perpetrators. This approach aligns with French legal practices, which focus on identifying those responsible through the platforms.
- Current Status: The Paris prosecutor’s office has not named any specific suspects, and the investigation continues.
- Recent Developments: Imane Khelif has recently returned to Algeria, where she is set to meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and celebrate with her family in her hometown of Ain Mesbah.
This case highlights ongoing issues with online harassment and misinformation, particularly affecting athletes and public figures.
