Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif won gold at the just concluded Paris 2024 Olympics, despite a wave of false claims and criticisms about her sex. Now, she is hitting back at her online harassers. According to her lawyer, Nabil Boudi, Khelif filed a complaint for online harassment with a special unit in the Paris prosecutor’s office for tackling online hate speech. The legal complaint alleges aggravated cyber-harassment against Khelif. If proven, it could see offenders sentenced to prison for between two and five years and pay fines of 30,000 to 45,000 euros. The controversy began after Khelif’s Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew early in their match, citing overwhelming pain caused by Khelif’s powerful opening punches. Soon after, the internet became awash with false rumors that Khelif is transgender or male. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended Khelif and denounced the misinformation. Khelif’s complaint is now under review by French prosecutors.
SOURCE: LE MONDE
