Ali Lmrabet's Arrest and Background
Ali Lmrabet, a prominent Franco-Moroccan journalist known for his critical stance towards the Moroccan authorities, was apprehended upon his arrival in Morocco from Spain on Sunday. His wife informed the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that he was detained for "dissemination of false information." Despite the request for comment from the AFP, the Moroccan public prosecutor's office did not provide an immediate response.
At 66 years old, Lmrabet has become a significant figure in independent Moroccan journalism, currently residing and working in Barcelona. His career has not been without controversy; he faced a ban on practicing journalism in Morocco from April 2005 to April 2015 after being convicted of defamation related to comments he made about Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps, located in southwestern Algeria. This issue surrounding Western Sahara remains particularly sensitive within Morocco.
Details Surrounding His Detention
According to his wife, Laura Feliu, Lmrabet contacted her at 19:00 local time (17:00 GMT) to inform her that upon landing at Tanger airport, he was detained on charges of disseminating false information and undermining state institutions. She noted that he mentioned being the subject of "several search warrants" regarding these allegations. The organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) confirmed in a statement that they had received information indicating that the journalist was accused of "presumed dissemination of false information undermining constitutional institutions." Furthermore, RSF stated that Lmrabet was being transported to Casablanca for questioning by the national brigade, with a court appearance scheduled for Monday, July 13, before the prosecutor.
Feliu added that Lmrabet had not visited Morocco for "several years" following the death of his father, who resided in the country. Lmrabet previously edited the weekly publications Demain Magazine and Doumane (in Arabic) in Morocco before these publications were banned in 2003 following a trial for "insulting the king." This led to a three-year prison sentence, although he was released in early 2004 due to a royal pardon.
As reported by fr.news.yahoo.com.
