US federal jury convicts Assad-era Syrian official of torture

WASHINGTON – A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted a former Syrian government official, who headed the Damascus Central Prison under the government of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, of torture, the US Justice Department said on March 16.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture for his involvement in the torture of prisoners at Adra Prison, as it is colloquially known, in Damascus, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Alsheikh, who headed the prison from 2005 to 2008, had pleaded not guilty, according to a court filing.

On March 16, his legal team said they were “disappointed” with the verdict and that Alsheikh “will pursue all appellate and post-trial relief”.

The jury also convicted Alsheikh of lying to the US immigration authorities about his commission of these crimes, fraudulently obtaining a green card and attempting to naturalise as a US citizen, the department added.

He was charged in late 2024, and prosecutors said he ordered subordinates to inflict severe physical and mental pain and suffering on political and other prisoners. He was sometimes personally involved in such incidents, according to the US Justice Department.

The torture aimed to deter opposition to the Assad government, the department said.

Alsheikh, who held positions in the state security apparatus, was associated with Mr Assad’s Syrian Ba’ath Party, and was appointed governor of the province of Deir Ez-Zour by the ousted leader in 2011, prosecutors said.

Alsheikh faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the three torture counts and the count of conspiracy to commit torture, the Justice Department said.

He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each of the immigration and attempted naturalisation fraud charges and will remain in US custody pending his sentencing at a date to be determined by the court, the department added.

Syrian rebels put an end to more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family in late 2024 following a lightning advance. A more than a decade-long civil war killed hundreds of thousands, unleashed a refugee crisis and left cities bombed to rubble.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda commander, took over after Mr Assad’s ouster and has aimed to improve ties with the West. REUTERS