Moroccan rapper El Mahdi Lyoubi has been temporarily released from custody after a court granted him bail.
Moroccan rapper Mehdi Black Wind released on bail but still faces charges
People take part in a youth-led protest against corruption and calling for education and healthcare reforms, in Rabat, Morocco, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
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Known by his stage name Mehdi Black Wind and for his politically charged lyrics, Lyoubi was arrested at Rabat airport last month, as he waited to board a flight to his home in Marseille.
He’s charged with insulting a constitutional institution and faces up to two years in prison. A new trial date has been set for October 2.
Lyoubi rose to prominence in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring and was a vocal supporter of Morocco’s 2025 Gen Z protests.
After his arrest, international NGO Human Rights Watch joined the calls for his release, saying “criticism of government officials is protected under international law."