Former Syrian Prison Chief Indicted in U.S. for Torture and Immigration Fraud

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, accused of overseeing brutal torture in Syria, faces multiple charges after concealing his past to enter the U.S.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, former head of Syria's Adra Prison from 2005 to 2008, has been charged with three counts of torture, conspiracy to commit torture, and two immigration fraud charges in the U.S.
Alsheikh is accused of personally inflicting and ordering severe torture on prisoners, including the use of the 'flying carpet' device, which caused extreme pain and spinal injuries.
The indictment alleges Alsheikh concealed his role in human rights abuses when applying for a U.S. visa in 2020 and citizenship in 2023, leading to his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport in July 2024.
If convicted, Alsheikh faces up to 20 years in prison for each torture charge and conspiracy count, as well as up to 10 years for each immigration fraud charge.
Human rights advocates view the case as a significant step toward accountability for war crimes committed during Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.