Former Syrian Prison Chief Arrested in Los Angeles for Immigration Fraud

Samir Ousman al-Sheikh faces charges for lying on U.S. visa applications about his role in human rights abuses.

Samir Ousman al-Sheikh oversaw Adra Prison, notorious for torture and abuse, from 2005 to 2008.
He was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport last week on immigration fraud charges.
Al-Sheikh falsely claimed on his visa and citizenship applications that he had not persecuted anyone.
Human rights groups and UN officials accuse the Syrian government of widespread abuses in detention facilities.
This marks the highest-level arrest of an Assad regime official by U.S. authorities.