Rabat – The prosecutor at the Casablanca Criminal Court announced today that the public prosecution office decided to release journalist Ali Lamrabet after reviewing the case, while confirming that the investigation will continue.
A statement from the prosecutor’s office said that investigators will conduct the necessary technical examinations and that the journalist was granted all the rights and guarantees provided by law, including the right to undergo a medical examination.
The announcement comes a day after the public prosecution confirmed the journalist was arrested at Tangier Airport based on multiple arrest warrants related to alleged criminal offenses involving online publications.
The statement said Lmrabet was wanted over allegations that he published a series of digital posts containing defamatory and insulting remarks targeting individuals and institutions, as well as statements deemed offensive toward bodies governed by law.
After reviewing various case documents, the public prosecutor decided to continue the investigation while releasing the journalist.
Authorities will return all of items seized from the journalist, including two computers, a USB flash drive, and a mobile phone.
The statement concluded that the appropriate legal measures will be taken once the investigation is completed.
Lamrabet’s arrest prompted statements of solidarity from journalists, who urged for his release.
One journalists’ committee also urged respecting the “presumption of innocence” as a fundamental legal principle as well as guaranteeing him a “fair” legal process.
