A former Syrian government official, Samir Ousman Alsheikh, has been charged in the United States with multiple counts of torture and conspiracy.
Alsheikh, who served as the head of Damascus Central Prison from 2005 to 2008, was arrested earlier this year at Los Angeles International Airport on immigration fraud charges.
Authorities allege that he concealed his role overseeing the prison where he personally inflicted severe physical and mental abuse on political prisoners under the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
If convicted, Alsheikh faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit torture charge, along with additional penalties for torture and immigration fraud. His lawyer maintains that the accusations are politically motivated and false.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to hold Syrian officials accountable for human rights abuses during the Assad era.
