A former Syrian military officer, Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, who oversaw a notorious detention facility under Bashar al-Assad’s regime has been charged in the US on multiple counts of torture, according to converging media reports.
Al-Sheikh, 72, is charged with torture and conspiracy to commit torture.
The felon, who managed the Adra prison in Damascus from 2005 to 2008, was arrested in July at Los Angeles International Airport. He is also facing charges of immigration fraud for allegedly concealing his role in Syria’s prison system when applying for a US visa and citizenship.
US officials claim al-Sheikh failed to disclose his involvement in Syria’s detention network and falsely denied persecuting prisoners. The charges stem from accusations that he both ordered and participated in the torture of detainees.
Al-Sheikh is accused of sending prisoners to the “punishment wing” of the prison, where they were reportedly subjected to brutal beatings while being suspended from the ceiling. Investigations claim some were tortured using devices made to cause spinal injury.
If convicted, al-Sheikh could face up to 20 years in prison for each torture charge and an additional 10 years for immigration fraud.
His attorney, Nina Marino, has rejected the allegations, calling them “politically motivated.”
The indictment comes after the recent fall of Assad’s regime on December 8, which led to the release of thousands of prisoners by anti-regime forces.
Human rights organizations have long accused the now-fallen Syrian government of systematic