A former Syrian government official, Samir Ousman Alsheikh, was found guilty by a jury on March 16 of torturing inmates at Adra Prison in Damascus and later lying to United States immigration officials to obtain residency and attempt naturalization. Alsheikh, 73, who had been living in Lexington, South Carolina before his arrest, was convicted in Los Angeles of conspiracy to commit torture, three counts of torture, fraud in the possession and use of an immigration document, and attempted naturalization fraud.
The case highlights the U.S. government's efforts to hold human rights violators accountable even after they have left their countries. The prosecution was led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, which serves more than 19 million residents across seven counties and focuses on prosecuting federal criminal cases as well as handling civil matters for the government, according to the official website. The office also supports community outreach through programs focused on victim assistance and public education.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said, “Our country is not a refuge for criminals – especially criminals who engage in the brutality of the kind this defendant inflicted on his victims. I commend the victims, our agents, and our prosecutors for finally bringing this defendant to justice.”
According to evidence presented during a nine-day trial, Alsheikh served as brigadier general in charge of Adra Prison from about 2005 through 2008 under then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He ordered subordinates to inflict severe physical and mental pain on prisoners—including suspending them by their wrists from pipes while beating them or using devices such as the "Magic Carpet" that caused excruciating pain. Witnesses testified that Alsheikh personally participated in these acts.
Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said: “Samir Ousman Alsheikh ordered, directed, and directly participated in heinous acts of torture designed to inflict excruciating mental and physical pain with the goal of punishing and silencing political dissent... Thanks to the courage and perseverance of the victims and dedication of Department of Justice prosecutors... justice has prevailed.”
Alsheikh later became governor of Syria’s Deir Ez-Zour province before applying for a U.S. visa in 2018. He entered the United States in 2020 after concealing his past actions on immigration forms. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Special Agent Eddy Wang said: “Our Homeland will never serve as a sanctuary for human rights abusers.”
The investigation involved HSI Los Angeles; FBI Chicago; legal attachés abroad; HSI’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center; FBI’s International Human Rights Unit; support from German authorities; and multiple Justice Department attorneys.
United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera will schedule sentencing at a later date. Alsheikh faces up to 20 years per count for conspiracy or torture charges and up to 10 years per count for immigration fraud-related charges.
The U.S. Attorney's Office works with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure public safety according to its official website. E. Martin Estrada has held the position of United States Attorney for this district.
Members of the public with information about former human rights violators residing in the United States are encouraged to contact law enforcement through various tip lines or online forms.
