A Moroccan court has rejected the request for provisional release of El Mahdi Lyoubi, known as rapper Mehdi Black Wind, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The 34-year-old artist, who has been living in France for nearly a decade, remains in detention.
The decision was made by the competent judicial authorities, who deemed the request unfounded. The reasons for the rejection have not been publicly detailed, but such decisions are typically based on concerns about flight risk or the seriousness of the charges.
Mehdi Black Wind was arrested in Morocco earlier this year on charges related to his music and social media posts, which authorities considered a threat to public order. His case has drawn attention from human rights organizations, who call for his release.
As of July 23, 2026, no further court dates have been announced. The rapper's legal team is expected to appeal the decision.
