The Moroccan judicial authorities have detained journalist Ali Lemrabet, who has been under arrest since Sunday, to investigate allegations concerning his publications, which purportedly included "defamation and slander" as well as the "dissemination of misleading information." This was announced by the Public Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.
Ali Lemrabet, a 66-year-old journalist, holds dual Moroccan and French citizenship and is a prominent figure in independent journalism. He was apprehended by Moroccan authorities upon his arrival at Tangier Airport from Spain, where he resides and works in Barcelona. The organization "Reporters Without Borders" confirmed that he would be interrogated in Casablanca before facing the public prosecutor.
Criticism of Moroccan Authorities
Known for his critical stance towards the Moroccan authorities, particularly through his YouTube channel, Lemrabet has a history of being penalized for his journalistic endeavors. The Public Prosecutor at the Casablanca court stated that his detention was due to the content of his posts, which allegedly involved "defamation and slander against individuals and institutions, as well as insults to organizations." Following the investigation, he is expected to appear before the public prosecutor.
Lemrabet was previously banned from practicing journalism in Morocco for ten years from 2005 to 2015 due to a conviction for defamation related to comments he made about individuals from Western Sahara residing in Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria. The Western Sahara issue remains a highly sensitive topic in Morocco, with the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, demanding independence for the region, while Morocco proposes autonomy under its sovereignty.
Before his ban in 2003, Lemrabet published two weekly magazines, "Domaine Magazine" and "Domaine" (in Arabic), which were halted following his trial for "insulting the king," among other charges. He was sentenced to three years in prison but was released early in 2004 due to a royal pardon.
Concerns Over His Detention
Laura Filio, the wife of journalist Ali Lemrabet, expressed her concerns regarding his detention. She stated that her husband was arrested on Sunday evening upon his arrival in Morocco from Spain, accused of "spreading misleading information," as reported by the French News Agency. According to her, he contacted her at 7 PM local time to inform her of his detention at Tangier Airport, citing accusations of "spreading misleading information and undermining institutions." She noted that he mentioned several search warrants issued against him related to these charges. Lemrabet has not visited Morocco for several years since the death of his father who resided there.
In a statement, Reporters Without Borders expressed its "concern" regarding Lemrabet's detention, noting that he is accused of "allegedly disseminating misleading information that undermines constitutional institutions." They confirmed that he would be interrogated by the National Police Judicial Brigade in Casablanca prior to a scheduled appearance before the public prosecutor on July 13. There has been no immediate comment from the Moroccan public prosecutor's office regarding requests from the agency concerning Lemrabet's detention.
As reported by france24.com.
