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Detained in Tangier
Reporters Without Borders called for the release of independent French-Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet, who was detained in Morocco for the alleged dissemination of false information.
teleSUR said Lmrabet was detained upon his arrival in Tangier and transferred to Casablanca to answer several charges of alleged defamation and insult related to his journalistic work.
The Moroccan Prosecutor’s Office affirmed that the journalist is suspected of offenses related to “the publication of a series of digital content containing defamatory and insulting statements against individuals and institutions, as well as offensive expressions directed at bodies regulated by law.”
In response to questions about the case, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said, “I'm not aware of this case. I'll look into it,” when asked on the radio about Lmrabet, the Moroccan journalist placed under formal investigation.
Release and ongoing probe
Morocco’s National Press Union (SNPM) said it was closely following the development and urged media professionals, political actors, and human rights groups to act responsibly amid the ongoing investigation into Ali Lmrabet’s case.
Morocco World News reported that the Pub Casablanca prosecutor’s office announced Lmrabet’s release today after his arrest at the Tangier Airport due to allegations involving online publications containing defamatory and insulting remarks targeting individuals and institutions.
The Casablanca prosecutor’s office said Lmrabet was released after reviewing his case, while emphasizing that “an investigation is still ongoing into the matter.”
HESPRESS English reported that Lmrabet said he was treated well by Morocco’s National Judicial Police Brigade in Casablanca and by prosecutors, while criticizing the circumstances of his arrest at Tangier Ibn Battouta International Airport, adding, “They twisted my arm,”.
Rights groups react
The International Federation of Journalists welcomed Lmrabet’s release and demanded that all charges against him be dropped, saying the journalist was arrested upon his arrival at Tangier Airport on 12 July and released on 15 July.
In a statement, IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said, “We strongly condemn the arrest of journalist Ali Lmrabet and demand his immediate and unconditional release.”
El País reported that Casablanca’s Prosecutor’s Office stated the police detention occurred so that the journalist would be “interrogated” about “defamatory and insulting statements against individuals and institutions” and “offensive expressions directed at state bodies.”
El País also said Lmrabet’s release took place just hours before the start of the official visit to Rabat by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, planned from this Wednesday for a high-level bilateral meeting.
