An indictment was unsealed in Chicago, charging two former high-ranking Syrian officials with war crimes. The charges involve Jamil Hassan and Abdul Salam Mahmoud, who served under former President Bashar al-Assad. They are accused of conspiring to commit cruel and inhuman treatment against civilian detainees, including U.S. citizens, during the Syrian civil war.

Jamil Hassan, 72, and Abdul Salam Mahmoud, 65, were senior officers in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence. They allegedly oversaw torture at detention facilities located at Mezzeh Military Airport near Damascus. Arrest warrants have been issued for both men who remain at large.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated: “The perpetrators of the Assad regime’s atrocities against American citizens and other civilians during the Syrian civil war must answer for their heinous crimes.” He further alleged that these officials engaged in acts such as whipping, kicking, electrocution, and burning victims while threatening them with rape and death.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco remarked on the significance of using a previously unused federal law to bring charges against those involved in war crimes against U.S. citizens. She emphasized that accountability efforts continue despite the fall of the Assad regime.

Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois expressed commitment to bringing justice to victims regardless of time or location constraints: “The serious human rights abuses set forth in this indictment must not go unpunished.”

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas S. DePodesta highlighted the FBI's dedication to accountability through this multi-year investigation involving personnel both domestically and abroad: “Torture is one of the most egregious crimes that the FBI investigates.”

FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed their ongoing collaboration with global law enforcement partners to ensure justice for victims: “Hassan and Mahmoud allegedly oversaw systematic use of torture...including American citizens.”

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri noted that this is only the second case brought under U.S War Crimes statute reflecting Justice Department's resolve toward pursuing accountability globally: "War crimes such as torture described...strike at basic human rights."

According to court documents from 2012-2019; detainees perceived as regime opponents were subjected by Hassan & Mahmoud's network—to brutalities like beatings or electrocution—and forced into terrorizing conditions including shared cells with deceased inmates while deprived basic necessities like food/water/medical care.

If convicted on conspiracy charges related specifically towards inflicting cruel/inhuman treatment—the defendants could face life imprisonment pending sentencing considerations by a federal district judge based upon applicable guidelines/statutory factors.

This investigation was conducted by FBI Chicago Field Office alongside several branches within DOJ—such collaborations also included international assistance from United Nations entities plus French/German authorities aiding proceedings led primarily via HRSP Section Attorneys Steven Dollear et al., among others contributing towards prosecution efforts detailed hereinabove—including public solicitation seeking additional information relevant thereto via established contact channels (e.g., FBI hotline).

All allegations contained within indictments represent mere accusations until proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt during judicial processes undertaken subsequently thereto accordingly per standard legal procedures governing same nationwide jurisdictionally speaking thereby affording due process protections inherently afforded unto accused parties therein implicated contemporaneously throughout aforementioned investigatory undertakings likewise conducted pursuant thereto under applicable laws/rules governing prosecutorial functions duly observed henceforth procedurally speaking thereof consequently resulting therein presently reported upon contemporaneously hereinbefore outlined thusly stated succinctly below further clarified correspondingly...