Rapper Mehdi Black Wind is being held in detention in Morocco for insulting the King.

Arrested on July 13 at Rabat airport, rapper Mehdi Black Wind is being prosecuted for insulting the King under Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code. His supporters are demanding his release.

Mehdi Black Wind was unable to return to France, where he resides. The Moroccan rapper, known for his critical lyrics about inequality in his country, was arrested on July 13 at Rabat airport as he was about to board a flight. He has been held in pretrial detention ever since.

The charge against him is insulting the King, an offense under Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code, punishable by up to two years imprisonment.

Protesters took to the streets to demand his release, while his supporters continued to mobilize on social media. The case has reignited the debate on the limits of artistic freedom of expression in Morocco.