Key Takeaway: A Los Angeles federal jury convicted 73-year-old Samir Ousman Alsheikh of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture for abuses at Adra Prison in Damascus, where he served as director from 2005–2008. He was also found guilty of lying to U.S. immigration officials and obtaining a green card fraudulently. Alsheikh faces up to 20 years per torture count and remains in U.S. custody pending sentencing; his lawyers say they will appeal.
US Jury Convicts Former Assad-Era Prison Chief Of Torture In Los Angeles
Officers keep watch outside the Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 23, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
A federal jury in Los Angeles has convicted Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, a former Syrian official who led the notorious Adra (Damascus Central) Prison, on charges of torture and immigration fraud, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Verdict and Charges: Jurors found Alsheikh guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture for abuses at Adra Prison, where he served as director from 2005 to 2008. The jury also convicted him of making false statements to U.S. immigration authorities, fraudulently obtaining a green card and attempting to naturalize as a U.S. citizen.
Allegations and Evidence: Prosecutors, who charged Alsheikh in late 2024, alleged he ordered subordinates to inflict severe physical and psychological pain on political and other detainees and was sometimes personally involved in abuse. Authorities say the goal of the torture was to deter opposition to the Assad government.
Response From Defense: Alsheikh pleaded not guilty at trial. After the verdict, his legal team said they were "disappointed" and that he "will pursue all appellate and post-trial relief."
Defense Statement: "We are disappointed with the verdict and will pursue all appellate and post-trial relief available to Mr. Alsheikh," the defense said in a court filing.
Background And Additional Context: Alsheikh previously held posts within Syria's state security apparatus and was linked to the ruling Ba'ath Party. Prosecutors said he was appointed governor of Deir Ez-Zour in 2011. He remains in U.S. custody pending sentencing, which the court will set at a later date.
Potential Penalties: The Justice Department said Alsheikh faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the three torture counts and the conspiracy count, and up to 10 years for each of the immigration and naturalization fraud counts.
Wider Context: The convictions come after a dramatic political shift in Syria: in late 2024, rebel forces overran the capital region, ending more than five decades of Assad-family rule. The conflict that began more than a decade earlier killed hundreds of thousands, produced a large refugee crisis and left many cities devastated. Following Assad's ouster, Ahmed al-Sharaa—reported by some sources to be a former al Qaeda commander—assumed leadership and has signaled interest in improving ties with Western nations.
Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Mike Scarcella in Washington; Edited by Lincoln Feast and Thomas Derpinghaus.
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