Conflicting Reports Emerge on Death of Former Syrian Mufti
According to webangah News Agency, unverified reports circulated by social media activists allege the death of Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun-syria’s Grand mufti during Bashar al-Assad’s rule-under torture in custody.
The news platform Al-Rai Al-Youm reported that recent rumors suggest Hassoun, detained by Ahmed al-Shara’s faction, died after severe torture in prison.The former mufti disappeared following his arrest months ago, with no further updates on his condition. New accounts from Syria indicate his body and face were severely disfigured due to torture.
Social media user Hamid Rizq reacted: ”Reports claim the former Grand Mufti was martyred under torture in Jolani regime prisons-a fabrication by U.S. and Israeli intelligence. This is a tragedy for Syria’s noble people. The crime must be condemned by Islamic scholars, and Sheikh Hassoun should become a symbol of moderation and oppression.”
Other posts alleged he died at Damascus’ Al-Shami Hospital after brutal torture. However, hospital officials denied these claims: “No records show Sheikh Hassoun was admitted or died here from beatings or bleeding.”
Al-Rai Al-Youm noted Syria’s new regime neither confirmed nor denied the rumors as of publication.
Hassoun was arrested months ago while attempting to travel via Damascus Airport for medical treatment in Amman, jordan.His family states they lack precise data about his detention or health status.
Appointed in 2005 after his predecessor’s death, Hassoun served as Syria’s Grand Mufti untill his arrest. He was affiliated with Iran’s World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought and Jordan’s Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought.
The legal basis for his arrest remains unclear; he held no military role under Assad’s government.
