Ex-Syrian Official Charged with Torture at Adra Prison

Dec 13, 2024, 06:34 AM

A former Syrian government official, Samir Ousman Alsheikh, has been indicted in the United States on charges of torture. Alsheikh, who was the head of Damascus Central Prison, also known as Adra Prison, from 2005 to 2008, allegedly ordered and participated in the torture of political and other prisoners. The indictment claims he sent detainees to the prison's 'Punishment Wing,' where they were subjected to severe beatings while suspended from the ceiling and to a device known as the 'Flying Carpet,' which caused excruciating pain and sometimes resulted in spinal fractures. Alsheikh, 72, was arrested in July at Los Angeles International Airport on immigration fraud charges for concealing his role at the prison and denying persecution on his US visa and citizenship applications. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each torture charge and an additional 10 years for immigration fraud.