Call for Action on Behalf of Detained Journalist
In a significant display of solidarity, the Catalonia Journalists' Association and the Federation of Associations of Journalists in Spain (FAPE) have urgently called for the release of Ali Lmrabet, a journalist who has made Barcelona his home for over two decades but was recently detained in Morocco. Lmrabet's arrest took place at the Tangier airport and he has since been transferred to Casablanca, raising concerns regarding his legal status and the reasons behind his detention.
According to a statement from the Catalonia Journalists' Association, the allegations against Lmrabet are reportedly linked to accusations of disseminating false information and acting against state institutions. These charges appear to be directly tied to his exercise of freedom of expression, a fundamental right that is increasingly under threat in various parts of the world.
Background on Ali Lmrabet
Born in Tétouan in 1959, Ali Lmrabet is one of Morocco's most outspoken critics of the political system. He has previously directed notable publications such as 'Le Journal' and 'Demain', and has contributed to various media outlets across Spain, France, and the UK. His journalistic integrity and commitment to freedom of information were recognized by Reporters Without Borders, which named him among the '100 Information Heroes' in 2014. In 2015, he was actively supported by the Catalonia Journalists' Association in efforts to highlight the ongoing challenges to free expression in Morocco.
The organizations advocating for Lmrabet’s release stress that journalism is not a crime and emphasize that detaining media professionals for their work severely undermines press freedom. They are calling on Moroccan authorities to clarify Lmrabet's legal situation immediately, ensure all procedural guarantees are provided, and facilitate his swift return to Spain.
FAPE, the principal organization of journalists in Spain, condemned Lmrabet's arrest as a blatant violation of his right to practice journalism freely. They have urged the Moroccan government to grant his immediate release and to abolish laws that restrict journalists' freedom of expression. Lmrabet holds both Moroccan and French nationality and has been living in Spain since 2005, after facing prosecution and imprisonment multiple times in Morocco, which led to a ten-year ban on practicing journalism in his home country.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) also issued a statement demanding Lmrabet's release and insisted that cases of publication and journalism should not be treated as criminal matters, as this constitutes a serious violation of press and expression freedoms, threatening the progress made in human rights.
As reported by infobae.com.
