Neither precise date of death nor the identity of killers was revealed, but it was widely suspected that the assassination was ordered and/or executed by the Syrian Intelligence.
In 1957, it took the side of opposition to the Lebanese government during the rule of President Camille Chamoun, and because of his criticism was jailed and his magazine temporarily suspended in May 1957.
Fearing for his life due to the threats he was receiving, Lawzi chose self-exile in London, from where he continued editing his magazine.
Despite close friends and relatives strongly advising him not to, he refused to listen and decided to return to Lebanon for a few days.
[3] Forensic reports found heavy signs of torture, including a broken and dislocated right arm, maimed and disjointed writing hand, fingers burnt and blackened through use of acid and phosphoric substances, pens pierced into abdomen and intestines (obvious messages in mutilation for other critics of Syria) and an assassination-style bullet in the head.