Calls for Justice: The Case of Mourad Hebbal

On August 12, 2026, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, based in Marrakech, issued a strong statement demanding the immediate release of Mourad Hebbal, a young man currently held in pre-trial detention at the Oudaia prison. The association condemned what it referred to as suppression tactics aimed at silencing voices in the digital space, highlighting the importance of upholding the right to free expression in the face of increasing censorship.

The association's concerns stem from the circumstances surrounding Hebbal's arrest, which took place on August 5, 2026. Following his detention, Hebbal appeared before the Marrakech Court of First Instance on August 7, where the court postponed the proceedings until August 12. Reports indicate that his legal troubles are linked to social media posts he made, which the association argues do not incite violence, hatred, or racism, but rather reflect his exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

According to the association, the public prosecutor has chosen to pursue charges against Hebbal under Article 299-1 of the Penal Code, which concerns the use of electronic means to incite criminal acts. The Marrakech chapter of the association emphasized that writing and posting online should be viewed as legitimate forms of free expression unless they explicitly advocate for violence or hatred, a right guaranteed by both the Moroccan Constitution and international treaties.

In its statement, the organization criticized the decision to keep Hebbal in pre-trial detention, characterizing it as a reflection of the ongoing security-oriented approach to managing peaceful dissent. The association referenced Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to underscore its position on the importance of safeguarding individual freedoms.

Moreover, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights reiterated its call for the release of Mourad Hebbal and the assurance of fair trial conditions. It appealed to democratic and human rights advocates to rally in support of Hebbal and defend the right to free expression, cautioning against the consequences of what it termed the tightening of digital spaces on overall freedoms.

As reported by anbaetv.ma.