Rapper Mehdi Black Wind Granted Provisional Release

On Friday, July 31, 2026, Moroccan rapper and filmmaker Mehdi Black Wind, whose real name is El Mahdi Lyoubi, was granted provisional release following his third hearing at the Casablanca court. The next court date has been set for October 2, 2026. He had been facing charges under Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code for 'insulting a constitutional institution,' which carries a potential sentence of six months to two years in prison, as well as fines ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 dirhams.

The legal troubles for Mehdi Black Wind began on July 10, when he was prohibited from leaving Morocco while preparing to return to France, where he has resided since 2017. Subsequently, he was summoned to the National Police Judiciaries Brigade (BNPJ) in Casablanca on July 13, where he was placed in police custody that very evening. Following his appearance before the prosecutor on July 15, he was placed in provisional detention and transferred to Oukacha prison. He declined to undergo immediate trial, and his first hearing was scheduled for July 22. Due to a nationwide lawyers' strike, he appeared without legal representation. During this initial hearing, he requested to postpone the proceedings and sought provisional release; however, only the postponement was granted, with the next hearing set for July 31. Until then, he remained incarcerated at Oukacha prison.

Support and Solidarity for the Artist

Throughout his provisional detention, the rapper received significant support both in Morocco and internationally, with solidarity events being organized in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Montreal, and Zurich. More than 500 individuals called for his release, including the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), which condemned the legal actions taken against artists, creators, journalists, bloggers, and activists for their opinions or creative works. They highlighted that such prosecutions represent a blatant violation of the International Declaration of Human Rights and the provisions of Title II of the Moroccan Constitution.

On the day of his hearings in Casablanca, gatherings were organized to support Mehdi Black Wind. Notably, on July 22, around 100 people were present to demand his release, showcasing the strong public backing for the artist during this challenging time.

As reported by telquel.ma.