Ex-Syrian Prison Head Convicted of Torture in U.S. Court
A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted former Syrian official Samir Ousman Alsheikh for torture and immigration fraud. Alsheikh, who led the Damascus Central Prison, faces multiple counts of torture and conspiracy. He will remain in U.S. custody awaiting sentencing. The case highlights Syria's tumultuous political landscape post-Assad.
A former Syrian government official was convicted by a federal jury in Los Angeles for his involvement in torture during his tenure at Damascus Central Prison. Samir Ousman Alsheikh, previously at the helm of the prison, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of actual torture. The U.S. Justice Department announced the verdict on Monday.
Alsheikh, 73, was also convicted of lying to U.S. immigration authorities to secure a green card and attempting to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Despite pleading not guilty, the court found Alsheikh responsible for ordering severe physical and mental torture on prisoners from 2005 to 2008 at Adra Prison, known for its brutal conditions under his leadership.
The charges against Alsheikh reflect broader allegations of human rights abuses under the Assad regime, which ended in late 2024 after Syrian rebels overthrew the government. Now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria is attempting to rebuild international relations after a devastating civil war.
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