At 21 years-old, Kouki is one of the few young Syrian Christian dissidents who was arrested and tortured by Assad’s forces for over 40 days. Kouki fled Syria in December 2011 and was smuggled into Turkey. After relocating to Egypt, Kouki was attacked by Assad's thugs in her apartment in Cairo. In March 2011, she traveled to Geneva where she addressed the United Nations about her experience in Syria.

Hadeel issued the following statement upon her arrival to the United States:

“I would like to thank everyone who helped me settle into this great country that has been a refuge for many freedom fighters. I would like to thank all of the individuals who work at the American embassies in Egypt and Switzerland, as well as Ambassador Ford and all the employees at the Syrian desk. Also I would like to thank CyberDissidents.org and the many other individuals who have always wanted to keep me safe and who secured my arrival to the U.S.”