Prominent Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet released from custody

A prominent Moroccan journalist and government critic has been released from police custody following international pressure from media rights organizations. Ali Lmrabet, a 66-year-old figure in Morocco's independent press sector, was arrested at Tangier airport on Sunday upon arrival from Spain, where he has resided for several years. He was released on Wednesday after advocacy groups including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists called for his freedom.

Lmrabet stated upon release that he practices journalism rather than politics, expressing concern that his independent reporting generates opposition among certain quarters. An investigation into his conduct remains active, with prosecutors examining allegations of defamatory and insulting remarks directed at individuals and institutions. Reporters Without Borders has called on Moroccan authorities to dismiss the case entirely, though his current travel status remains unclear.

Lmrabet's history reflects decades of tension between independent journalism and state authority in Morocco. He previously published weekly magazines Demain and the Arabic-language Doumane before both were banned in 2003 following his conviction for insulting the king and other charges. He received a three-year prison sentence but was released in early 2004 under royal pardon. Between 2005 and 2015, he faced a professional journalism ban after conviction on defamation charges related to comments concerning displaced persons from Western Sahara.

Lmrabet's case coincides with broader concerns about press freedom in Morocco. Outspoken rapper and filmmaker Mehdi El Youbi appeared before a Casablanca court on Wednesday despite lacking legal representation due to an ongoing lawyers' strike. El Youbi was arrested Monday after being barred from returning to France, where he has been based since 2017. Supporters attribute his detention to politically engaged lyrics and social media activity. The Association of Maghrebi Workers in France warned of escalating repression against regime critics, cautioning against normalizing arrests as standard governance practice.