Mehdi El Youbi, a politically outspoken Moroccan rapper and filmmaker known by his stage name Mehdi Black Wind, has been granted provisional release from Oukacha Prison in Casablanca. A judge approved his release request on Friday, ending an 18-day detention period that began in mid-July. His next court hearing is scheduled for 2 October 2026.
El Youbi remains under prosecution under Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code for allegedly insulting a constitutional institution. If convicted, he faces potential sentences ranging from six months to two years in prison, along with fines between 20,000 and 200,000 Moroccan dirhams. His arrest came shortly after he was barred from returning to France, where he has resided since 2017.
Supporters and observers attribute his detention to his artistic expression and social media activity, characterizing it as connected to broader governmental responses to youth-led protest movements in Morocco. A prominent investigative journalist and human rights activist described El Youbi as Morocco’s most outspoken and politically direct rapper. His prominence in the music industry grew during the early 2010s with socially and politically engaged compositions.
El Youbi’s case has drawn international attention, with solidarity demonstrations organized across Morocco and in cities throughout Europe and North America. His supporters credit this wave of support with influencing the decision to grant provisional release. The case occurs within a broader context of detention related to youth protests that emerged last year demanding health service and education improvements, with supporters noting that approximately 600 individuals remain in custody since Autumn 2025.
During his court appearance on Friday, El Youbi faced the proceeding without legal representation due to an ongoing strike by Moroccan lawyers, a development that concerned his supporters.
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