The prominent Franco-Moroccan investigative journalist Ali Lmrabet walked free on Wednesday, July 15, after being briefly detained at Casablanca’s appeals court. The move came just three days after his arrest at Tanger’s airport, where authorities had seized his professional equipment upon arrival.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed the release while emphasizing that the investigation into alleged defamatory digital content distribution would continue. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the decision but stressed that the charges against Lmrabet remain pending, urging Moroccan authorities to drop the case entirely.
Investigation continues despite equipment return
Following the journalist’s release, authorities returned his seized devices—two laptops, an external storage unit, and a smartphone—though they noted that technical assessments would still be conducted as part of the ongoing probe. The prosecutor’s statement hinted at potential “appropriate legal measures” once the process concludes.
Lmrabet denies wrongdoing, condemns judicial harassment
Speaking to RSF, Lmrabet firmly rejected the accusations, stating: “I am a journalist, not a politician. My work adheres to international standards, and I have never been convicted of defamation, slander, or insult in France, Spain, or Morocco. Independent journalism that challenges state or security structures is evidently unwelcome to some—but it remains my profession.”
His wife, Laura Feliu, echoed his stance, calling the arrest “groundless and unlawful”, particularly as the alleged offenses were claimed to have occurred outside Moroccan territory. She expressed hope that the case would be dismissed to restore his full freedom of movement.
Profile of a press freedom advocate
With a career spanning critical journalism, Lmrabet has long been a vocal figure in Morocco’s media landscape. His detention on July 12 at Tanger’s airport and subsequent transfer to Casablanca’s judicial police brigade marked the latest in a series of pressures faced by journalists in the country. Morocco currently ranks 105th in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index, underscoring persistent challenges for media independence in the region.
