The US court charged a former head of a notorious Syrian prison on Thursday with torturing opponents of the now-collapsed regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Justice Department said.
The court documents reveal that Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 72, residing in Lexington, South Carolina, served as the head of Damascus Central Prison (Adra Prison) from 2005 to 2008. During his tenure, Alsheikh allegedly directed and participated in inflicting severe physical and psychological trauma on prisoners. He reportedly ordered certain inmates to the “Punishment Wing,” where they endured brutal beatings whilst suspended from the ceiling and were subjected to the “Flying Carpet” device, which caused severe spinal injuries.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri stated: “Samir Alsheikh is charged with torturing political dissidents and other prisoners to deter opposition to the regime of then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.”
She added: “Alsheikh later allegedly lied about his crimes to obtain a US green card. The victims of such violent treatment continue to suffer long after the physical acts of torture have ceased. The justice department is committed to prosecuting perpetrators of such crimes and will not allow them, through lies and concealment, to hide in the United States.”
US Attorney Martin Estrada remarked: “The allegations in this superseding indictment of grave human rights abuses are chilling. Our country will not be a safe harbor for those accused of committing atrocities abroad.”
Alsheikh reportedly held various positions in Syrian police and state security, maintained connections with the Syrian Ba’ath Party, and was appointed governor of Deir Ez-Zour province by President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. He entered the United States in 2020 and sought citizenship in 2023.
Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang and FBI assistant director Chad Yarbrough emphasised their organisations’ commitment to pursuing human rights violators and bringing them to justice, regardless of time passed.
“The allegations in this superseding indictment reveal unconscionable crimes and a clear violation of human rights,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners across the globe to uncover the truth and ensure those who engage in unlawful and inhumane criminal activity face the full consequences of their actions.”
The superseding indictment introduces three torture counts and one conspiracy count, supplementing previous visa and naturalisation fraud charges from August. If found guilty, Alsheikh faces potential prison terms of up to 20 years for torture-related charges and 10 years for immigration fraud charges.
The investigation involves HSI and FBI collaboration, supported by international authorities including Swedish Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Belgian officials. The prosecution team comprises Trial Attorneys Patrick Jasperse and Alexandra Skinnion, alongside Assistant US Attorney Joshua O. Mausner, with support from HRSP historian Phil Hoffman.