Detention of a young artist

Yasser Mounbir, a 22-year-old graffiti artist, has been detained in a Moroccan prison for four months while awaiting a verdict on charges of lèse-majesté, which involves insults or offenses against the monarchy. The charges stem from caricatures of King Mohammed VI that he posted online.

Nature of the charges

The prosecution initially accused Mounbir of "outraging a constitutional body" and "a public official," referencing an altercation with a police officer. However, the charges are now based on article 179 of Morocco's penal code, which imposes strict penalties for defamation, insult, or offense against the king, particularly when committed online.

Content of the accused posts

Mounbir's Instagram account, which had over 12,000 followers, featured drawings of the king in various provocative contexts, such as dressed as a woman, transformed into an animal, or depicted on his knees with a shocker in the background. These posts have drawn attention from Moroccan civil society and human rights groups.

Public response and legal delays

The case has sparked public concern, with a sit-in organized in August 2025 by the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH). A petition titled Art is not a crime has gathered support from figures in the democratic opposition and independent press. However, the trial has faced multiple delays, with hearings postponed several times by the Casablanca judiciary.

Broader context of repression

Mounbir's case is part of a broader trend in Morocco where artists and musicians face charges related to freedom of expression. Similar cases include Saïd Boukioud, who received a five-year sentence in 2023 for Facebook messages deemed offensive to the monarchy, and rapper T-Flow, who was imprisoned for criticizing the government.

Historical precedents

Drawing the king or his family has long been a sensitive issue in Morocco. In 2009, cartoonist Khalid Gueddar was convicted for depicting Prince Moulay Ismaïl, a cousin of the king, and received a four-year prison sentence with probation. Supporters argue that such cases reflect a pattern of intimidation and repression of artistic and political expression.