Moroccan rapper El Mahdi Lyoubi, popularly known by his stage name Mehdi Black Wind, has been temporarily released from custody after a court granted him bail on August 2, 2026. Lyoubi was arrested last month at Rabat airport while waiting to board a flight to Marseille, his home city.

He faces charges of insulting a constitutional institution, which could carry a prison sentence of up to two years. A trial date has been scheduled for October 2, 2026.

Lyoubi rose to prominence following the 2011 Arab Spring and was a vocal supporter of Morocco’s 2025 Gen Z protests. His politically charged lyrics have drawn attention both domestically and internationally.

Following his arrest, the international NGO Human Rights Watch called for his release, emphasizing that “criticism of government officials is protected under international law.”

Sources