Like the Assad family, she is from Alawite descent which could have made her a particular target in Syria, as she may be seen as a traitor to the Alawite-majority government.

Her arrest comes in the wake of thousands of arrests in Syria of protestors, including well-known human rights defenders and members of the opposition, due to massive and wide-spread demonstrations calling for democratic change in the country. Following her arrest, she was immediately transferred to the Al Fayha'a detention center in Damascus. She was subjected to physical and psychological mistreatment, and was forced to see her friend being tortured, so as to force her confess her implication in the demonstrations.

Alkarama submitted Hanadi's case to the Special Rapporteur on Torture today, and will continue to monitor her case closely.