French prosecutors have launched an investigation into an online harassment complaint made by Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif. This follows a wave of criticism and false claims regarding her sex during the Summer Games, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.
The boxer’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, filed the complaint on Friday with the Paris prosecutor’s special unit focused on combating online hate speech. Boudi described the attacks on Khelif as a “misogynist, racist and sexist campaign” following her gold medal victory in the women’s welterweight division. This victory turned her into a national hero in Algeria and shined a spotlight on women’s boxing worldwide.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed it had received the complaint, noting that its Office for the Fight against Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crime had opened an investigation on charges including “cyber harassment based on gender, public insults based on gender, public incitement to discrimination, and public insults on the basis of origin.”
Khelif became embroiled in a global controversy over gender identity in sports after her initial match in Paris, where her Italian opponent Angela Carini withdrew just seconds into the fight, citing pain from early punches. Following this, online claims falsely alleging that Khelif was transgender or a man began to circulate. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended Khelif, condemning the spread of misinformation and emphasizing the harm such misconceptions cause to human dignity.
Notable figures such as Donald Trump and J.K. Rowling were among those perpetuating false claims about Khelif on social media, with tech billionaire Elon Musk amplifying a comment referring to Khelif as a man.
Khelif’s legal complaint was filed against “X,” a common practice in French law that allows investigators to identify the responsible parties.
The Paris prosecutor’s office did not disclose specific suspects. This development comes in the wake of Khelif’s return to Algeria, where she met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and is expected to reunite with her family in her hometown of Ain Mesbah later this week.
In Algeria, Khelif’s former coach, Mustapha Bensaou, noted that the complaint in France was encouraged by Algerian authorities and should serve as a precedent for defending athletes’ rights and honor globally. Bensaou asserted, “All those involved will be prosecuted for violating Imane’s dignity and honor. The attacks on Imane were designed to break her and undermine her morale. Thank God, she triumphed.”
The investigation into Khelif’s case is among several active probes by France’s hate crimes unit related to the Olympics. The unit is also examining alleged death threats and cyberbullying against Kirsty Burrows, an IOC official overseeing safeguarding and mental health, who had defended Khelif during a Paris press conference. Other investigations involve death threats, harassment, or abuse targeting six individuals involved in the Games’ opening ceremony, including its director Thomas Jolly.
Under French law, those found guilty of these crimes could face prison sentences of two to five years and fines ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 euros.
