El Mahdi Lyoubi Detained in Casablanca
El Mahdi Lyoubi, known by his stage name Mehdi Black Wind, spent the night in Oukacha prison in Casablanca following his arrest at the airport while attempting to leave the city. The Moroccan filmmaker and rapper was taken into custody on Monday, and by Wednesday evening, his family revealed the charges against him: "_offense against a constituted body (for his songs) and incitement to commit offenses_". Notably, Lyoubi appeared in court without legal representation, a situation attributed to an ongoing indefinite strike by Moroccan lawyers against the controversial bill 66.23, which regulates their profession. His supporters express concern over his right to a fair trial, which is scheduled for July 22, particularly given the current circumstances, as some of them gathered in Marseille, his place of residence.
According to his support committee, El Mahdi Lyoubi, who was scouting locations for a documentary, may be targeted for his expressed support on social media for the GenZ 212 protest movement. Zineb Kharroubi, a prominent figure within this collective, was sentenced to six months in prison with a suspended sentence last June for "_incitement to commit crimes or offenses via electronic means_". These arrests are part of a broader wave of repression aimed at silencing dissenting voices following a popular uprising that brought together segments of the youth in the autumn of 2025.
Wider Crackdown on Dissent
In total, nearly 2,480 individuals have been apprehended, with legal action taken against at least 1,473 protesters, all of whom are currently in provisional detention. Additionally, Franco-Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet was arrested upon landing in Tangier on Sunday. Known for his independent journalism and criticism of authorities, he has since been released. An investigation is reportedly underway regarding online publications that allegedly contain defamatory and insulting remarks against individuals and institutions, as well as offenses towards legally governed bodies, according to the official news agency MAP.
The Free El Mahdi Lyoubi support committee has raised alarms about the situation, describing it as a tool of intimidation and repression that contributes to a troubling atmosphere for freedom of expression. They are calling for his "_immediate release_" while expressing skepticism about receiving "_support_" from France, where the filmmaker has lived since 2017 and built his career. This comes at a time when French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is on his first official visit to the Kingdom, accompanied by a dozen ministers, during which he will discuss economic, security, migration, and defense cooperation, notably without addressing the issue of freedom of expression.
As reported by lamarseillaise.fr.
