U.S. citizen wins $50 million judgment against Syrian government
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – An American citizen named Kevin Dawes has won a judgment of about $50 million against the Syrian government. He had been kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured for four years by Syrian authorities, said Miller and Chevalier, the law firm that represented the man.
U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras condemned the Syrian government’s acts as “reprehensible” and deserving “severe condemnation.”
Dawes endured captivity in a windowless cell and was subjected to repeated torture by Syrian Military Intelligence. The mistreatment resulted in a concussion, permanent nerve damage, and other physical ailments, causing lasting agony, as written by Judge Contreras.
Released in April 2016, Dawes owes his freedom in part to information provided by fellow prisoner Abbas Khan, a British orthopedic surgeon who died in custody.
Dawes is eligible for payment of the judgment from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund).
Kirby Behre, lead counsel on Dawes’ behalf, emphasized the importance of holding countries accountable for human rights violations and commended Dawes for bringing these atrocities to light.