Moroccan-American Arrested at Rabat Airport for Online Insults Against State Officials

Chafiq El Amrani, holder of American nationality, was wanted for the dissemination of videos containing remarks deemed insulting towards institutions, national bodies and state officials, said the public prosecutor at the court of first instance in Casablanca on Sunday.

The public prosecutor states that the arrest took place in compliance with the formalities in force. "Following his arrest on Saturday, the man was placed in custody and his family, in the person of his brother, was informed of the date and reason for his arrest." The Moroccan residing abroad would have been taken to a police station in Casablanca, after a stop in Rabat.

In a statement to the website Alyaoum24, his brother Mohamed El Amrani said that family members were unable to visit him on Sunday at the police premises. They will have to wait for the day of the trial, according to the statements of a police officer.