A former Syrian military official, Samir Ousman Sheikh, has been charged with multiple counts of torture by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. The charges stem from his role as the head of the Damascus Central Prison, where he allegedly oversaw the brutal treatment of political dissidents between 2005 and 2008.
The Justice Department claims that Sheikh personally participated in violent acts, including the use of a torture device called the “flying carpet,” which reportedly caused severe physical harm to prisoners, including one victim who suffered a fractured spine.
Sheikh was initially arrested on July 10, 2023, at Los Angeles International Airport on immigration fraud charges. The following month, he was indicted for attempting to gain U.S. citizenship while concealing his involvement with the Syrian government. This week, the indictment was expanded to include three additional counts of torture and one count of conspiracy to commit torture.
These charges are based on the alleged abuse of prisoners in the “punishment wing” of the prison, where Sheikh reportedly participated in violent acts, including beatings and forced contortion of prisoners’ bodies.
The Justice Department condemned Sheikh’s actions as severe human rights violations, with U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada emphasizing that the United States will not provide a safe haven for individuals accused of committing such crimes.
Former Syrian Military Official Charged with Torture and Conspiracy for Abuses at Damascus Prison
In response, Sheikh’s attorney, Nina Marino, vehemently denied the charges, arguing that they were politically motivated. She contended that the U.S. government was misallocating resources by prosecuting a foreign national for alleged crimes committed abroad, rather than focusing on domestic issues.
Sheikh’s background ties him closely to the Syrian regime. He held prominent roles in Syria’s security forces and was associated with the ruling Ba’ath Party. In 2011, he was appointed governor of Deir Ez-Zour by President Bashar Assad.
After fleeing Syria, Sheikh immigrated to the U.S. in 2020 and applied for citizenship in 2023, during which he allegedly misrepresented his past, including his role at the Damascus Central Prison. If convicted, he faces significant prison time, including up to 20 years for the torture charges and 10 years for immigration fraud.
The timing of the indictment coincides with recent developments in Syria, where rebel forces have gained control of key territories, including prisons, and released many long-term political prisoners.
These shifts are seen as marking the decline of Assad’s regime, which has been notorious for its brutal treatment of opponents. The U.S. charges against Sheikh highlight ongoing international efforts to hold individuals accountable for human rights abuses, regardless of their nationality or the location of the crimes.
