Maroc: Ali Lmrabet targeted again by authorities amid press freedom concerns

The independent Franco-Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet was detained at Tangier’s airport upon arrival on July 12, then transferred to Casablanca where he remains in police custody. Authorities accuse him of allegedly spreading false information that undermines constitutional institutions. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the move and demanded his immediate release.

Legal pressures mount against a vocal critic

Lmrabet was arrested as he entered Morocco from Spain for personal administrative procedures. According to the prosecutor’s office, multiple outstanding warrants relate to digital publications deemed defamatory toward individuals and state institutions. The case centers on accusations of disseminating false information that allegedly threatens Morocco’s constitutional foundations.

« The detention of Ali Lmrabet is deeply alarming and reflects a persistent pattern of using judicial tools to silence dissent. Journalism is not a crime—it is the pursuit of truth, a principle Morocco has publicly endorsed. Prosecuting a journalist for doing his job is not justice; it is repression disguised as law. »

Oussama Bouagila
North Africa Director, Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

A career built on defending press freedom

Lmrabet, a pioneer of independent journalism in Morocco, co-founded the now-defunct Demain Magazine and Doumane. His confrontational reporting has repeatedly put him at odds with authorities. In 2003, he was sentenced to four years in prison for « insulting the king, » a verdict later overturned by royal pardon. In 2005, a defamation conviction barred him from practicing journalism in Morocco, yet he continued his work from France and Spain, where he has lived for years.

His reporting on sensitive topics—including security-related issues—has earned international recognition. In 2014, RSF listed him among its 100 Information Heroes for his unwavering commitment to press freedom. He regularly publishes online content, including videos on his YouTube channel addressing political developments in Morocco.

Despite repeated attempts by Moroccan authorities to pursue legal action against him in Spain and France over the past two decades, local courts have consistently dismissed these efforts. His family states that Lmrabet has traveled to Morocco multiple times in recent years without incident for family matters.

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