Morocco: Journalists’ committee responds to the arrest of Ali Lmrabet

The "Committee of Journalists for a Free and Independent Press" expressed its solidarity on Tuesday with Ali Lmrabet, who was detained upon his arrival at Tangier airport from Spain. In a statement, the group stressed the right to practice journalism "in accordance with the safeguards enshrined in the Constitution, the law, and international standards relating to freedom of expression and press freedom."

In this regard, the Committee said that "any prosecution linked to journalistic content or publications must, when legally justified, be pursued in accordance with the Press and Publishing Code," without "resorting to measures that deprive individuals of their liberty." At the same time, it noted that "protecting press freedom does not mean that journalists enjoy immunity from all legal responsibility." As such, it emphasized that "criminal liability must not be diverted from its purpose to become a means of restricting freedom of expression."

In its statement, the collective therefore called for "respect for the presumption of innocence and guarantees of a fair trial for Ali Lmrabet," for "making the Press and Publishing Code the applicable reference in all cases related to journalistic activity and publications," as well as for "putting an end to any practice likely to intimidate journalists."

The day before, the Casablanca public prosecutor’s office had stated that Ali Lmrabet’s detention was based on several search notices issued against him. The journalist is suspected of acts constituting criminal offenses, following the publication of a series of digital posts deemed unlawful. Judicial authorities point in particular to allegedly defamatory and slanderous remarks targeting individuals and institutions.