Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet released after three days in custody

Moroccan authorities released veteran journalist Ali Lmrabet on July 15, three days after his arrest at Tangier airport. Lmrabet, a long-time critic of the monarchy, was detained upon arrival from Barcelona on Sunday, July 12, and transferred to Casablanca. His detention drew condemnation from international press freedom groups.

Detention and allegations

Lmrabet told El Mundo he was “violently put in a van and shackled” for the trip to Casablanca. He said he faced 10 arrest warrants issued since 2022, while El País reports 30 charges from the General Prosecutor’s Office. The official Moroccan news agency MAP said he was held for “publication of digital content containing defamatory and insulting statements against persons and institutions.” Lmrabet insists he was targeted for writing about a “deep state” behind the throne, naming senior officials like Fouad Ali el Himma and Abdelatif Hamouchi. Source: El País Source: El Mundo

Release and conditions

On Wednesday, the Casablanca prosecutor announced Lmrabet’s release after “reviewing documents, completing the investigation and conducting the necessary technical expertise.” Police returned his laptop, hard drive and mobile phone. Lmrabet told El Mundo the prosecutor said, “If there is a trial, we will notify your lawyers.” His wife, Laura Feliu, called the arrest a “kidnapping” and said the charges stem from work done outside Morocco. Source: La Vanguardia Source: Infobae

Broader context

Lmrabet was convicted in 2003 for “lèse-majesté” over a cartoon and banned from journalism in Morocco for a decade. Today, the country ranks 120th in RSF’s press freedom index. His release coincides with a visit by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Source: El Confidencial