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Arrest at Tangier Airport
Moroccan authorities arrested journalist Ali Lmrabet on Sunday as he arrived at Tangier airport from Spain, where he has lived for years, according to AFP and as described by Al-Araby Al Jadeed.
“Ali Al-Murabit Share 24 Hours – Coverage Security authorities stopped journalist Ali Al-Murabit, who resides in Barcelona, Spain, this afternoon, Sunday, upon his arrival at Tangier’s Ibn Batouta Airport from Spain”
The public prosecutor at the Casablanca Criminal Court said the detention came on the basis of several search warrants previously issued against him, on suspicion of committing acts that constitute crimes under the law, in light of his publication of digital contents that include defamation and slander against individuals and institutions.
Le Monde reported that Lmrabet, 66, was set to appear before a prosecutor on Monday, July 13, for "spreading false information" after his arrest upon return to the country from Spain.
Lmrabet’s wife, Laura Feliu, told AFP late on Sunday that he called her at 7:00 pm and said he was detained for spreading false information and undermining state institutions, and that he was the subject of "several arrest warrants" related to the allegations.
Rights groups and legal process
The Committee to Protect Journalists said Moroccan authorities must immediately and unconditionally release French-Moroccan freelance journalist Ali Lmrabet, calling the detention the latest chapter in decades of pressure over his critical reporting.
CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah said, "After years of judicial harassment that forced veteran journalist Ali Lmrabet to build his life and career outside Morocco, authorities detained him the moment he returned to the country," and urged release.
RFI reported that Hakim Sikouk, president of the Rabat section of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), denounced an arbitrary arrest and said, "This is political repression that we denounce."
RFI also quoted Oussama Bouagila, director of RSF's North Africa bureau, saying, "Nothing explains the placing of a journalist in prison because of his journalistic activity."
Transfer to Casablanca and stakes
After the arrest, the Crown Prosecutor at the Casablanca Criminal Court said Lmrabet was transferred to the National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ) headquarters in Casablanca, which is responsible for the investigation, while he remained in custody during the inquiry.
Al-Araby Al Jadeed reported that the prosecutor said Lmrabet was transferred on instructions from the Public Prosecution to the headquarters of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department in Casablanca, where he was placed under investigative custody to question him about the acts attributed to him.
Diari ARA said Lmrabet was transferred to the National Brigade of Judicial Police in Casablanca, and that the charges against him had not been communicated, while his wife Laura Feliu said he told her he considers himself kidnapped and decided to personally take charge of his defense.
In parallel, CPJ said Lmrabet was held in pretrial detention pending an investigation after he appeared before the prosecutor’s office on July 13, and it urged Moroccan authorities to stop using the justice system to target journalists for their reporting.
