A U.S. federal jury in Los Angeles has convicted former Syrian government official Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, on charges of torture and conspiracy to commit torture, the Department of Justice announced. Alsheikh, who headed Damascus Central Prison (commonly known as Adra Prison) from 2005 to 2008 under the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, was found guilty of overseeing and participating in the abuse of detainees. Prosecutors stated that he ordered subordinates to inflict severe physical and psychological pain on prisoners and was at times directly involved in such acts.
In addition to torture-related charges, the jury also convicted Alsheikh of immigration fraud, including lying to U.S. authorities about his past, fraudulently obtaining a green card, and attempting to secure U.S. citizenship. Arrested in 2024, he had pleaded not guilty. Following the verdict, his legal team expressed disappointment and confirmed plans to pursue appeals and post-trial relief. According to the Justice Department, the torture carried out under his authority was intended to suppress opposition to the Assad regime.
Alsheikh, who later served as governor of Deir Ez-Zour in 2011, now faces significant prison time. He could receive up to 20 years for each torture-related count and up to 10 years for each immigration-related offense. He will remain in U.S. custody pending sentencing. The conviction comes in the aftermath of Syria’s prolonged civil war, which ended decades of Assad family rule in 2024 and led to a major political transition under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has since sought to rebuild international relations.
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