Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet released from custody as crackdown on critics continues

Authorities freed prominent journalist Ali Lmrabet after three days in custody, while activists warn of an intensifying crackdown on government critics.

• Ali Lmrabet, arrested Sunday at Tangier airport on defamation charges, was released Wednesday after pressure from media rights groups including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
• An investigation against Lmrabet remains open over "defamatory and insulting remarks against individuals and institutions," the public prosecutor said.
• Rapper and filmmaker Mehdi El Youbi was brought before a court in Casablanca on Wednesday without a lawyer present due to a lawyers' strike, after his arrest Monday night.
• The Association of Maghrebi Workers in France said in a statement that "we cannot treat this escalation as business as usual," warning of escalating repression.