Moroccan Authorities Arrest Journalist and Filmmaker Criticizing the Regime
In a shocking turn of events, two prominent figures, journalist Ali Lmrabet and filmmaker El Mahdi Lyoubi, have been taken into custody upon their arrival at the airport in Morocco. Lmrabet, a vocal critic of the government, was apprehended on July 12 at the Tangier airport and subsequently transferred to Casablanca, where his detention was extended. The Moroccan prosecution disclosed on July 14 that Lmrabet's arrest stemmed from multiple search warrants related to the "publication of defamatory and insulting digital content against individuals and institutions, as well as contemptuous remarks towards legally governed entities." He has since been granted provisional release while investigations continue.
Just two days following Lmrabet's arrest, filmmaker El Mahdi Lyoubi, also known as Mehdi Black Wind, was detained as he attempted to leave Morocco for France. Authorities informed him of a travel ban, leading to his immediate detention, with expectations for him to face the prosecutor soon. The timing of these arrests has raised eyebrows, especially as they coincide with a period when global attention is diverted elsewhere. Khadija Riyadi, the Secretary-General of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), commented on the situation, stating, "This kind of timing is used by the regime to repress and imprison individuals... during the holidays, it becomes challenging to mobilize support and apply pressure for their freedom."
Profiles of the Arrested Individuals
Ali Lmrabet is a Franco-Moroccan independent journalist, known for his critical stance against the Moroccan regime. He has faced multiple convictions for articles that contradicted the official narratives. Notably, in 2005, he received a ten-year ban from practicing journalism in Morocco due to an article that challenged the government’s official discourse. After that incident, Lmrabet relocated to Spain and had not returned to Morocco for years prior to his recent trip.
El Mahdi Lyoubi, on the other hand, is a well-known Moroccan documentary filmmaker and rapper, recognized for his politically charged music. Gaining prominence in the early 2010s, his song "Nashid" critiques the government's neglect toward Moroccan youth, emphasizing the disillusionment many young people feel. "We sought the land of free men, but growing up, we discovered the opposite. The country is governed by wickedness, steeped in darkness," he sings, capturing the sentiment of frustration among the youth. Lyoubi moved to Marseille in 2017 to pursue his studies in audiovisual arts, returning to Morocco solely to visit family.
The recent arrests of Lmrabet and Lyoubi come at a time when Morocco is experiencing significant unrest and protests, particularly among the youth. Since late September 2025, a wave of demonstrations led by the collective GenZ 212 has surfaced, fueled by discontent over the declining state of public services and governmental inaction. This ongoing situation illustrates the precarious balance between artistic expression and political dissent in Morocco, as voices of the youth mobilize despite the risks involved.
As reported by rtbf.be.
