Morocco – Mouad Belghouat, known throughout Morocco and Tunisia as the rapper El Haqed (or L7a9ed), was released from Ain Borja prison in Casablanca yesterday.

Since 2011, Morocco’s government has arrested and sentenced El Haqed three times, in trials which have been condemned by numerous international human rights observers as unfair, biased, and in violation of international law. On May 18 in Casablanca, El Haqed was stopped, searched, and arrested by police outside of a soccer match on grounds of intoxication and purchasing tickets off of the black market – allegations which were shown to be false by both eyewitnesses and video of the incident, both or which were dismissed from evidence by the court. With this, El Haqed’s third arrest and imprisonment since rising to prominence in the February 20 movement, it is clear that Morocco’s government has taken a stance of systematically persecuting those who express themselves against it.

With information that Haqed’s release was happening, supporters and fellow February 20th Movement activists waited all night outside the prison, though the specific time was withheld, many supporters speculate that this was to prevent the organization of any mass celebration or media presence.

We want to thank everyone who used their voice in the FREE HAQED action for speaking out and letting the authorities know that eyes from around the world were watching this case.