Moroccan human rights activist Sion Assidon remains in coma after two months

Prominent Moroccan human rights activist Sion Assidon remains in a coma two months after being hospitalized under circumstances that are still under investigation, according to a new update shared by his friends and relatives.

A statement from “Friends and Relatives of Sion Assidon”, the main source of updates on his health, said the activist continues to be in a coma and that “the medical team cannot yet provide any prognosis, despite intensive efforts involving lab tests, scans, MRIs, chest X-rays and electroencephalograms.”

The statement noted, however, that “since last week, Assidon has begun to open and close his eyes, showing slight signs of response to medical stimulation.”

Assidon’s family and supporters said they are still awaiting the results of an “ongoing investigation,” in line with a statement issued by the King’s Prosecutor on August 19, 2025. They also reiterated calls for “the appointment of an independent forensic expert to clarify the circumstances of his condition.”

An earlier update said the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) helped arrange Assidon’s transfer to Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in Casablanca by providing an equipped ambulance and a resuscitation specialist, while also covering medical costs not included in his health insurance.

Sion Assidon, 78, is one of Morocco’s most prominent civil rights advocates and the national coordinator of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement in Morocco. A former leftist political prisoner during the so-called “Years of Lead,” he later became a leading voice in anti-corruption and transparency initiatives.

A statement from the public prosecutor at the Casablanca Court of Appeal previously said that Assidon was found unconscious on his couch at home, with no signs of forced entry or disorder in the residence. Security camera footage from the street showed that his last activity before losing contact was pruning trees outside his house.