Moroccan rapper Mehdi El Youbi temporarily released from prison

What the report says

Moroccan rapper and filmmaker Mehdi El Youbi, known professionally as Mehdi Black Wind, has been granted provisional release from custody in Casablanca after being held for 18 days, according to Al Jazeera. A judge approved the request on Friday, and supporters said he will not be sent back to Oukacha Prison while the case continues. His next hearing is scheduled for 2 October 2026.

El Youbi was detained in mid-July after authorities prevented him from returning to France, where he has lived since 2017. Supporters said the case is tied to his artistic output and social media posts. He is being prosecuted under Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code for allegedly insulting a constitutional institution. The reported charge carries a possible prison sentence of six months to two years and a fine.

The artist gained prominence in Morocco and across North Africa in the early 2010s with politically engaged songs. His supporters and some rights advocates view his arrest in the broader context of tighter pressure on dissent in Morocco, including protests linked to youth-led demands for better public services and education reform. Al Jazeera also reported that rallies in Morocco, Europe and North America followed his detention, adding to the public attention around the case.