Moroccan rapper El Mahdi Lyoubi, known by his stage name Mehdi Black Wind, was granted provisional release on Friday, August 1, 2026, after a court accepted his request. He had been detained for three weeks on charges of "outrage to institutions," according to his lawyer.
The release comes amid ongoing legal proceedings. Lyoubi remains under judicial supervision and is still subject to the charges, which stem from his artistic work and public statements. His lawyer argued that the detention was disproportionate and that his client posed no flight risk.
The case has drawn attention from free-speech advocates in Morocco, who see it as part of a broader pattern of crackdowns on artists and critics. However, authorities have not commented publicly on the specifics of the case beyond the official charge.
Lyoubi's release is provisional, meaning he must comply with conditions set by the court while the investigation continues. A trial date has not yet been announced.
