The Syrian government on April 1, 2013, informed Hassan's family about his death, but did not offer details on the circumstances or exact date of his death. The journalist had been arrested in January in Damascus, according to the local opposition station Watan FM.
Hassan died while being held at Palestine Branch, a feared prison of Syria's Military Intelligence Security that is known for the severe abuse of prisoners, according to Watan FM. The station, local opposition groups, and press freedom groups including the Syrian Journalists Association said he had been tortured to death.
Hassan, who was also known as "Mohammed al-Ghazali," was the director of broadcasting for Watan FM.