Spanish, French Silence Under Scrutiny After Arrest of Moroccan Journalist Ali Lmrabe
The arrest of veteran Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet upon his return to Morocco has triggered renewed debate over European governments’ responses to press freedom cases, with critics questioning what they describe as inconsistent diplomatic reactions by Spain and France.
ALGIERS — The arrest of Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet upon his arrival at Tangier Airport has reignited debate over Spain’s and France’s commitment to defending press freedom, with critics accusing both governments of applying selective standards in cases involving journalists and political dissidents.
Lmrabet, a Moroccan journalist who also holds Spanish nationality and has lived in Spain for roughly two decades, was detained after returning to Morocco following years of self-imposed exile. He is widely known for his critical reporting on the Moroccan monarchy.
Speaking on Spanish radio Cadena SER on Tuesday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said he had not been informed of Lmrabet’s arrest until that morning and pledged to gather further information on the case. Asked whether Madrid had contacted Moroccan authorities on behalf of the journalist, Albares indicated that no diplomatic intervention had yet been undertaken.
His remarks have drawn criticism given the extensive media coverage surrounding the arrest. Spanish and international news outlets had reported the detention since Sunday, while Spanish newspaper El Independiente said it contacted Spain’s Foreign Ministry on Monday seeking clarification on whether any action would be taken. According to the newspaper, no response had been received at the time of publication.
Lmrabet, who resides in Barcelona, is married to Laura Feliú, a Spanish national and professor of international relations at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
The controversy comes as Albares simultaneously defended the Spanish government’s foreign policy, describing the current period as one of the most successful in Spain’s democratic history while criticizing the opposition People’s Party over unrelated political disputes.
Observers have questioned how the foreign minister could remain unaware of a case that had received significant attention across Spanish and international media.
They also point to the absence of any public reaction from French authorities ahead of the expected visit of French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu to Morocco, arguing that Paris has previously taken a far more active diplomatic stance in other high-profile cases involving journalists and writers.
According to this perspective, the muted responses from both Madrid and Paris contrast with their previous advocacy in cases involving other public figures, raising accusations of inconsistency in the application of human rights and press freedom principles.
They further reference other prominent Moroccan figures, including historian Maati Monjib, lawyer Mohamed Ziane, and Moroccan intelligence chief Abdellatif Hammouchi, whose cases have also generated international attention, arguing that European governments have adopted differing approaches depending on the political context.
Moroccan Authorities Confirm Arrest
Moroccan judicial authorities confirmed Tuesday that Lmrabet had been placed under investigation over alleged digital publications deemed defamatory toward individuals and institutions, as well as statements considered offensive to judicial authorities.
In a statement carried by Moroccan media, the King’s Prosecutor at the Casablanca Court said the journalist had been transferred to the headquarters of the National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) in Casablanca as part of the ongoing investigation.
His wife, Laura Feliú, had earlier confirmed his transfer to the Casablanca-based judicial police unit.
The case is expected to further fuel international debate over freedom of expression, judicial independence, and the consistency of European diplomatic engagement in press freedom cases across the region.
— 𝐄𝐍𝐃 —
Dzair Tube Media Group | Record and Standing
Dzair Tube is a leading Algerian digital journalism platform, delivering high-quality content in Arabic, French, and English. With a daily readership exceeding 500,000, it has established itself among the country’s most influential media organizations.
Recognized for editorial excellence and integrity, Dzair Tube was awarded the President of the Republic’s Prize for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on 22 October 2022. The platform operates from state-of-the-art studios, producing diverse programming across news, sports, culture, entertainment, and religion.
Dzair Tube maintains a robust digital presence, with over 600,000 YouTube subscribers, six million followers across Facebook pages, and more than 70,000 Instagram followers. Its sports daily, Dzair Sport, enjoys over 50,000 daily downloads via its official website, cementing its leadership in multimedia journalism.
Further recognized with the Media Leadership Award by former Minister of Communication Mohamed Laâgab and celebrated at the Hilals of Television awards, Dzair Tube continues to set benchmarks in innovation, influence, and public engagement, serving as a key forum for civic discourse, critical analysis, and public affairs.
Official website: www.dzair-tube.dz | English: www.dzair-tube.dz/en
