Former Syrian prison chief convicted of torture in U.S. court
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A U.S. federal jury convicted on Monday Samir Ousman Alsheikh, the former head of Adra Prison, on charges of torturing detainees during his tenure from 2005 to 2008.
Jurors in Los Angeles reached a verdict after several hours of deliberation, finding the 73-year-old guilty on all counts, including conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture. He was also convicted of immigration and attempted naturalization fraud for allegedly concealing his role in abuses when entering the United States in 2020.
Prosecutors said Alsheikh oversaw systematic torture at the facility near Damascus, particularly in a punishment section known as “Wing 13.” Former detainees testified during the two-week trial that prisoners were subjected to severe abuse, including beatings and prolonged isolation.
Alsheikh’s defense rejected the accusations, arguing that Adra Prison was a civilian facility where inmates were treated relatively well compared to Syria’s military prisons. His lawyer, Nina Marino, said the verdict was unjust and described her client as a scapegoat for the government of Bashar al-Assad. She confirmed that the defense would pursue an appeal.
Witnesses for the prosecution described being punished for minor infractions or for supporting political detainees. One former prisoner testified he was tortured after writing a letter backing another inmate, adding that other prisoners later avoided him out of fear.
The case marks a rare instance of a foreign official being prosecuted in the United States for alleged crimes committed abroad. Legal observers said the trial highlights the growing use of international legal mechanisms to pursue accountability for human rights violations.
Rights groups, including the Syrian Emergency Task Force, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant step toward justice for victims of abuses in Syria.