Former Syrian prison chief charged with torture in US court

A former Syrian military officer who oversaw operations at Damascus’ Adra prison has been charged with torture in a landmark US federal prosecution, authorities announced yesterday.

Samir Ousman Al-Sheikh, 72, faces multiple counts of torture and conspiracy to commit torture following an indictment by a federal grand jury. Federal agents arrested Al-Sheikh in July as he arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.

The US Department of Justice has also charged him with immigration fraud, alleging he deliberately concealed his role at the prison when applying for US visas and citizenship.

According to the federal indictment, Al-Sheikh served as supervisor of Adra prison from 2005 to 2008. Prosecutors allege he both ordered and directly participated in the systematic torture of detainees, including authorising their transfer to a designated “punishment wing” where prisoners were reportedly subjected to severe beatings whilst suspended from ceiling fixtures.

If found guilty, Al-Sheikh could face maximum sentences of 20 years’ imprisonment for each torture charge. The immigration fraud charges carry an additional potential penalty of up to 10 years’ incarceration.

Defence counsel Nina Marino, representing Al-Sheikh, dismissed the prosecution as “politically motivated” in a statement to reporters outside the courthouse.

The case marks one of the first US prosecutions of a Syrian regime official for alleged torture during the Assad government’s rule. Federal prosecutors built their case using testimony from former detainees and prison staff, according to court documents.

The trial is scheduled to begin in federal court next month. Al-Sheikh remains in custody without bail, having been deemed a flight risk by the presiding judge.