U.S. charges former Syrian prison head with fraud-related offense
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. charged on Friday the former head of the notorious Adra Prison with an offense related to fraud.
U.S. prosecutors accused Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, former head of the Adra Prison, of lying about his past in an attempt to secure U.S. citizenship.
According to the prosecutors, al-Sheikh made false statements concealing his role at the prison, political persecution of dissidents and association with Syria’s ruling Ba’ath Party when he applied for a U.S. visa in 2020 and again when seeking citizenship in 2023.
Al-Sheikh was able to secure a green card, making him a lawful permanent U.S. resident, in 2020.
He was charged with attempted naturalization fraud and obtaining a green card through false statements, Reuters reported. Al-Sheikh has not yet entered a plea and is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Aug. 16
The U.S. arrested al-Sheikh, 72, in California in mid-July, before leaving to Beirut, Lebanon, according to court papers. He was accused of trying to commit fraud in his application for U.S. citizenship based on a criminal complaint filed.
Al-Sheikh was in charge of Adra prison near Damascus between 2005 and 2008. It holds political dissidents, protesters, and civilians who are accused of committing crimes.