The prominent Franco-Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet found himself in police custody once again after being detained at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport upon his arrival from Spain on July 12. Authorities swiftly transferred him to Casablanca, where he now faces questioning under accusations of allegedly spreading false information that undermines constitutional institutions. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the move and demanded his immediate release.
Legal pressure mounts against outspoken reporter
According to official statements, Lmrabet is accused of publishing digital content deemed defamatory toward individuals and state institutions. The prosecution alleges that his work constitutes the dissemination of false information intended to damage the credibility of Morocco’s constitutional bodies. Human rights advocates argue that the charges represent a deliberate attempt to silence a journalist whose reporting has long challenged official narratives.
An advocate for press freedom under fire
RSF’s North Africa director Oussama Bouagila issued a strong statement, declaring, “The detention of Ali Lmrabet sends a chilling signal to independent journalists across the region. Rather than upholding justice, this action weaponizes the legal system against those who dare to question authority. Morocco’s international commitments to press freedom ring hollow when journalists face imprisonment for doing their jobs.”
From prison cells to exile: a career marked by defiance
Lmrabet’s troubles with Moroccan authorities date back to 2003, when he was jailed for four years on charges of “insulting the king” following critical reports in Demain Magazine and Doumane, publications he founded himself. After international pressure, he was pardoned in 2004, though barred from practicing journalism in Morocco. Undeterred, he resumed his work from exile in France and Spain, continuing to expose sensitive topics such as national security and governance.
In 2014, RSF honored him as one of the “100 Information Heroes” for his unwavering commitment to press freedom. Despite multiple attempts by Moroccan authorities to pursue him through foreign courts—including in Spain and France—those efforts were repeatedly dismissed. His wife, Laura Feliu, confirmed that he had safely visited Morocco for family reasons several times over the past two decades without incident.
Morocco’s press freedom ranking reflects ongoing challenges
The Kingdom currently sits at 105th place out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index, underscoring persistent obstacles to independent journalism within its borders.