US Jury Convicts Ex-Syrian Prison Chief for Torture

A federal jury in Los Angeles has convicted former Syrian government official Samir Ousman Alsheikh for his role in torturing prisoners in Syria, the US Justice Department confirmed on Monday.

Alsheikh, 73, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture. These charges are linked to his time as head of Damascus Central Prison, also known as Adra Prison, where prisoners were subjected to severe abuse.

According to prosecutors, Alsheikh led the prison from 2005 to 2008 and ordered his subordinates to inflict serious physical and mental pain on detainees. In some cases, he was personally involved in acts of torture. The goal of these actions was to suppress opposition to the Syrian government led by former President Bashar al-Assad.

In addition to torture charges, the jury also convicted Alsheikh of lying to US immigration authorities. He was found guilty of hiding his past crimes while applying for a green card and attempting to become a US citizen.

Alsheikh had pleaded not guilty. After the verdict, his legal team expressed disappointment and said he will seek to challenge the decision through appeals.

He now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each torture-related charge and conspiracy count. He could also receive up to 10 years for each immigration fraud charge. He will remain in US custody until his sentencing, which will be decided by the court at a later date.

Prosecutors also noted that Alsheikh held key positions in Syria’s security system and was linked to the ruling Ba'ath Party. In 2011, he was appointed governor of Deir Ez-Zour by Bashar al-Assad.

This case comes after major political changes in Syria. In late 2024, Syrian rebels ended more than 50 years of Assad family rule after a rapid offensive. The long civil war in Syria caused massive destruction, killed hundreds of thousands of people, and forced millions to flee their homes.

Following Assad’s removal, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander, took power and has been working to improve Syria’s relations with Western countries.