Moroccan filmmaker and rapper El Mahdi Lyoubi has been detained since 2023, prompting calls from human rights groups for his immediate release. Lyoubi was arrested in connection with his artistic work, which critics say criticizes government policies.
According to reports from Amnesty International and other organizations, Lyoubi faces charges related to 'undermining the state' and 'incitement,' which his supporters argue are baseless and aimed at silencing dissent. He has been held in pre-trial detention for over a year.
The case has drawn international attention, with petitions and campaigns urging Moroccan authorities to drop the charges and release Lyoubi. As of July 2026, no trial date has been set, and his legal team continues to fight for his freedom.
