A woman was taken into custody for sharing a critical video about her trip. Yass Naubelle was apprehended by border officials on June 13 as she was about to leave Morocco.
The social media influencer was detained moments before boarding her flight to France. Naubelle, aged 30 and known for her online content, uploaded a video that reportedly denounced local authorities, sparking a flurry of online comments.
The French-Algerian influencer allegedly voiced dissatisfaction with her holiday in Marrakech, Morocco. She purportedly criticized the local law enforcement and driving practices in the North African country.
Authorities at Marrakech Menara Airport intervened as Yass was going through security for her flight to France. She was arrested based on a national warrant for allegedly defaming Moroccan citizens and disrespecting law enforcement.
Yass is being held by authorities to investigate the reasons behind her actions. She is suspected of posting defamatory and insulting content aimed at citizens and undermining a public institution.
In the now-removed video shot during her trip to Marrakech, she described the traffic as chaotic and dangerous. She also compared the driving standards to Algeria, stating it was better there. Furthermore, she accused some traffic police of stopping women unjustly for bribes.
The video caused a national outcry, leading to her detention at the airport. Yass, with a sizable following on TikTok, is currently under custody in Morocco without any official charges or court appearance details made public.
Marrakech, a favored destination for European visitors, particularly from France, heavily relies on tourism. However, incidents involving social media content have occasionally stirred controversies. Travelers to Morocco are advised to be cautious about their social media posts regarding local conditions, as authorities have demonstrated swift responses in similar instances.