US federal jury convicts Assad-era Syrian official of torture

Samir Ousman Alsheikh pleaded not guilty. Read more at straitstimes.com.

WASHINGTON – A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted a former Syrian government official, who headed the Damascus Central Prison under the government of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, of torture, the US Justice Department said on March 16.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture for his involvement in the torture of prisoners at Adra Prison as it is colloquially known, in Damascus, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Alsheikh, who headed the prison from 2005 to 2008, had pleaded not guilty, according to a court filing. His legal representatives did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.

The jury also convicted Alsheikh of lying to the US immigration authorities about his commission of these crimes, fraudulently obtaining a green card and attempting to naturalise as a US citizen, the department added.

He was charged in late 2024 and prosecutors said he ordered subordinates to inflict severe physical and mental pain and suffering on political and other prisoners. He was sometimes personally involved in such incidents, according to the US Justice Department.

The torture aimed to deter opposition to the Assad government, the department said.