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Moroccan Court Grants Provisional Release to Rapper Mehdi El Youbi
Just the facts
Moroccan rapper and filmmaker Mehdi El Youbi, known by his stage name Mehdi Black Wind, was granted provisional release from Oukacha Prison in Casablanca after spending 18 days in custody. El Youbi was originally arrested on July 15, 2026, and faces charges under Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code for allegedly insulting a constitutional institution. Legal proceedings remain active, with a judicial hearing scheduled for October 2, 2026, where he faces potential penalties ranging from six months to two years in prison alongside monetary fines. Supporters reported that El Youbi appeared in court without legal representation due to an ongoing nationwide strike by Moroccan defense lawyers.
Why this is news
A judicial court in Casablanca, Morocco granted provisional release to political rapper and filmmaker Mehdi El Youbi after 18 days of detention in Oukacha Prison. El Youbi had been taken into custody on July 15, 2026, after authorities prevented him from returning to France.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.