Betty Lachgar, a Moroccan-Belgian activist and co-founder of the feminist collective MALI, has now spent one year in detention in Morocco. She was arrested on August 5, 2025, in Rabat, and has been held in local prison since then, according to reports from human rights organizations.
Lachgar faces charges including "insulting public officials" and "undermining the state's dignity," which stem from her social media posts criticizing Moroccan authorities. Her supporters and international NGOs, such as Amnesty International, have called for her release, arguing that the charges are part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Morocco.
As of August 2026, Lachgar remains in detention, with her trial ongoing. The Moroccan judiciary has not yet issued a final verdict. Her case has drawn international attention, with several European parliamentarians urging Morocco to respect due process and human rights.
The Moroccan government has defended its judicial system, stating that all legal procedures are being followed. However, critics point to a pattern of arrests of activists and journalists in recent years, raising concerns about freedom of expression in the country.
