Casablanca’s public prosecutor ordered rapper and documentary ​filmmaker El Mahdi Lyoubi, ‌an outspoken critic of Morocco’s political system, into pre-trial detention ​on Wednesday, a rights ​group and a judicial source ⁠said.

Known professionally as Mehdi ​Black Wind, Lyoubi was placed ​in police custody on Monday, after he was prevented from boarding ​a flight to Marseille, ​where he lives.

The prosecutor’s office has ‌not ⁠disclosed the charges against him.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights called for his ​immediate release, ​saying ⁠the case raised concerns about freedom of ​expression.

More than 500 artists, ​musicians ⁠and film professionals also signed a petition published by ⁠French ​media platform Mediapart ​demanding his release.

–Reuters–