After his hearing before prosecutors on July 15, the journalist was granted freedom. The Casablanca prosecutor confirmed Lmrabet’s release, noting that seized items—two laptops, a storage device, and a smartphone—had been returned. However, the investigation persists, with technical assessments still pending. Authorities have pledged to take “appropriate legal measures” once the review concludes.

Ali Lmrabet, speaking to RSF, emphasized his commitment to ethical journalism: “I practice journalism, not politics. I am independent, unaffiliated with any party or ideology, and adhere to international standards. I have never been convicted of defamation, slander, or harming individuals—whether in France, Spain, or Morocco. My work challenges certain state or security structures, and that unsettles many. But this is my profession; I earn my livelihood from it, and I engage solely in professional journalism.”

His wife, Laura Feliu, also addressed the decision: “We believe the prosecutor made the right call. The arrest was baseless and unlawful, even under Moroccan law, particularly given the circumstances of his detention. The alleged offenses occurred outside Morocco. We now hope the case is closed permanently so Ali can fully regain his freedom, including unrestricted travel in and out of the country, as any Moroccan citizen should.”

A prominent voice in critical journalism, Ali Lmrabet was detained at Tangier airport on July 12 and transferred the following day to the National Judicial Police Brigade in Casablanca. He was held under investigation for “alleged dissemination of digital content deemed defamatory toward individuals and institutions.”

Morocco currently ranks 105th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index.