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Moroccan Rapper and Filmmaker Detained After Attempting to Leave Country
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Moroccan Rapper and Filmmaker Detained After Attempting to Leave Country

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • Moroccan rapper and filmmaker Mehdi El Youbi, known as Black Wind, was detained in Morocco upon attempting to return to France.
  • El Youbi is recognized for his socially and politically charged lyrics criticizing corruption and advocating for free expression.
  • Authorities have not yet commented on the charges against him, and activists are demanding his immediate release.

Moroccan rapper and filmmaker Mehdi El Youbi, an outspoken critic of corruption and a supporter of social and political rights, has been arrested in Morocco. El Youbi, known artistically as Black Wind, was detained after attempting to travel back to France, where he resides.

Hakim Sikouk, an activist with the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), confirmed the arrest to EFE. The Moroccan Prosecutor's Office has not yet issued any statement regarding the alleged charges or El Youbi's legal status. The artist, who boasts over 32,000 Instagram followers, is a prominent voice in Moroccan rap, using his music to address societal issues and freedom of expression concerns.

El Youbi, based in Marseille, had traveled to Morocco to visit family and scout locations for an upcoming documentary. A platform established on social media to demand his release, #free.el.mahdi, stated that he attempted to leave the country on July 10 but was prevented by border authorities. He was subsequently summoned by the National Brigade of Judicial Police in Casablanca on Monday, where he was taken into custody.

I dreamed that in my country there is Justice/ but I woke up and found everyone on a cutting board

— Black WindLyrics from the rapper's song 'Vista gorda,' expressing his critique of corruption and the justice system in Morocco.

He is expected to appear before the Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday. El Youbi has a history of artistic engagement, including performances at the L'Boulevard festival in Casablanca and recognition from international institutions like the Sheffield DocFest and New York's MoMA for his film work. He was also a vocal supporter of the GENZ212 youth movement in 2025, which called for social improvements and faced a crackdown by authorities.

"I dreamed that in my country there is Justice/ but I woke up and found everyone on a cutting board," the rapper states in his song 'Vista gorda,' illustrating his critique of corruption. Sikouk expressed deep concern over the arrest, calling it a "grave attack on fundamental rights and freedoms," as well as on "freedom of expression and movement."

grave attack on fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as on freedom of expression and movement

— Hakim SikoukAn activist with the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, describing the significance of Mehdi El Youbi's arrest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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