L7a9d

L7a9d or El Haqed (Arabic: الحاقد‎; real name Mouad Belaghouat–born 1988 in Casablanca) is a Moroccan rapper and human rights activist who rose to prominence when he was imprisoned for criticising Mohammed VI, the king of Morocco.[1][2][3]

L7a9d
معاذ بلغوات
Background information
Birth nameMouad Belaghouat
Also known asEl Haqed
Born1988 (age 32–33)
Casablanca
GenresRap
Occupation(s)Artist, activist

After two years in prison he was released in 2013. In February 2014 he released a new album called Waloo.[4]

On 13 February 2014, the police raided a library where he was holding a press conference in which he intended to present his new album.[4]

Third imprisonment

On 18 May 2014, L7a9d was arrested again at the entrance of the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca.[5] He was trying to attend a game between Raja Casablanca and Moghreb Tetouan, and policemen arrested him claiming he was selling tickets in the black market, an accusation which he denied. Additionally the police pressed charges against him for allegedly beating four policemen during the event.[5]

In September 2014 he was nominated by European United Left–Nordic Green Left for the Sakharov Prize, along with the Tunisian rapper Weld El 15 and the Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah. The following month, the nomination was withdrawn after controversy over some 2012 tweets by Abd El-Fattah at the time of Israel's bombing of Gaza.[6]

References
  1. Boukhari, Karim (12 May 2012). "L7A9D. Le rappeur des deux Oukacha". Telquel (in French) (492). Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  2. Karim, Maria (20 September 2011). ""L7A9D" ou, la voix du peuple". Lakome. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  3. Stéphanie Binet (11 January 2012). "Mobilisation au Maroc pour L7a9d". Le Monde. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  4. "Maroc : Une conférence du rappeur L7a9d " empêchée " à la dernière minute". Yabiladi. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  5. "http://www.h24info.ma/maroc/mouad-l7a9ed-encore-arrete-lors-du-match-raja-mat/23168". H24Info. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014. External link in |title= (help)
  6. Joel Benin, Can Arabs be Human Rights Defenders?, Jadaliyya, 10 October 2014
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