Moroccan rapper L7assal jailed for song slamming government and Israel ties
A Moroccan court has sentenced 23-year-old rapper Souhaib Qabli, known as L7assal, to eight months in prison. The verdict follows his arrest earlier this month for a song criticising government policies. Dozens of supporters gathered outside the court to demand his release. Qabli, a vocational student studying refrigeration and air conditioning, was found guilty of insulting a constitutional body. Alongside his prison term, he received a fine of $106. His lyrics targeted Morocco's decision to normalise relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords, as well as government corruption.
The case has drawn criticism from rights groups, who describe it as a political move to suppress dissent. Qabli is also a member of Al Adl Wal Ihsane, an Islamist association that remains banned but is generally tolerated by authorities. While Morocco's constitution protects free speech, certain forms of expression can still lead to criminal charges. The normalisation deal with Israel, brokered by the US, sparked mixed reactions. The US recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange, while Palestinian factions like Hamas condemned the agreement as betrayal. Inside Morocco, protests erupted, though the government pushed ahead with deeper military, economic, and security ties. The UN's position on Western Sahara remained unchanged, and broader Arab-Israeli normalisation efforts stalled after the 2023 Gaza war.
Qabli's imprisonment highlights ongoing tensions between free expression and legal restrictions in Morocco. His sentencing comes amid wider debates over the country's political direction, particularly its ties with Israel. The case has already mobilised supporters, with further protests expected in the coming days.
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