French prosecutors have launched an investigation into the online harassment directed at Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif. The probe follows a legal complaint filed by Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, concerning a wave of criticism and false claims about the athlete’s gender during the Summer Games in Paris.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed that its Office for the Fight against Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crime is investigating the complaint. The charges include cyber harassment based on gender, public insults related to gender, incitement to discrimination, and public insults based on origin. These allegations stem from an intense controversy surrounding Khelif’s first fight in Paris, which saw her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdraw due to alleged pain from the match.
The controversy was further fueled by online claims and misinformation suggesting that Khelif was transgender or a man. Prominent figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and author J.K. Rowling, were among those who made disparaging remarks about Khelif. Tech billionaire Elon Musk also reposted a comment questioning Khelif’s gender. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended Khelif and condemned the dissemination of false information.
Khelif’s legal complaint was filed against X (formerly Twitter), rather than specific individuals, a procedural approach under French law that allows investigators to identify the responsible parties. The Paris prosecutor’s office has yet to name any suspects in the case.
Khelif has since returned to Algeria, where she met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and will soon be reunited with her family in her hometown of Ain Mesbah. In Algeria, Khelif’s former coach, Mustapha Bensaou, praised the filing of the complaint, framing it as a defense of athletes’ rights and dignity on a global scale. Bensaou criticized the attacks on Khelif as attempts to undermine her morale, expressing relief at her triumph over the adversity.
The investigation into Khelif’s case is part of a broader effort by France’s hate crimes unit, which is also looking into alleged death threats and cyberbullying against Kirsty Burrows, an IOC official, who defended Khelif. Additionally, the unit is examining complaints related to harassment and threats against individuals involved in the Games’ opening ceremony, including its director, Thomas Jolly.
Under French law, the crimes under investigation carry significant penalties, including prison sentences ranging from two to five years and fines between 30,000 and 45,000 euros, if proven. The outcome of this investigation could have broad implications for how online harassment and hate crimes are addressed in the context of international sports and beyond.
