Prominent Franco-Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet was detained at Tangier’s airport upon arrival on July 12, then transferred to Casablanca where he faces questioning under accusations of “allegedly spreading false information.” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the move and demands his immediate release.

Upon returning from Spain for personal administrative procedures, Ali Lmrabet was intercepted at Tangier’s airport on July 12 and taken to Casablanca for questioning by the National Judicial Police Brigade. Prosecutors cite multiple warrants tied to allegedly defamatory digital posts targeting individuals and institutions. He now faces charges of “allegedly spreading false information harming constitutional institutions.”

International condemnation mounts

« The detention of Ali Lmrabet is deeply troubling and once again exposes the judicial system being weaponized to silence dissenting voices. We demand his immediate release. His lifelong dedication to journalism and the right to information aligns with the values Morocco has publicly pledged to uphold. Criminalizing journalism isn’t law enforcement—it’s justice hijacked for repression. »

A legacy of press freedom activism

As a pioneering voice in Morocco’s independent press, Ali Lmrabet founded the now-defunct weeklies Demain Magazine and Doumane. His critical stance led to a 2003 conviction for “insulting the king,” resulting in a four-year prison sentence before receiving a royal pardon in 2004. In 2005, a defamation conviction barred him from practicing journalism in Morocco. Undeterred, he continued his work from France and Spain—both countries where he holds citizenship—covering sensitive topics such as security issues in Morocco. His contributions have appeared in Spanish outlets including El Mundo and El País.

Internationally recognized for his commitment to press freedom, Ali Lmrabet was named one of RSF’s “100 Information Heroes” in 2014. He also maintains an active online presence through YouTube, where he publishes videos addressing pressing political developments. Despite Moroccan authorities’ attempts to pursue legal action against him in Spain and France since 2008—all of which were dismissed—he has traveled to Morocco multiple times for family reasons without incident, his wife Laura Feliu confirmed.

Morocco currently ranks 105th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index.