A former Syrian government official convicted of torture has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison by a U.S. judge. Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 74, who headed the Damascus Central Prison during the Assad era, was found guilty by a U.S. federal jury in March on charges including conspiracy to commit torture and multiple counts of torture for his role in prisoner abuse at Adra Prison.
Alsheikh was also convicted of making false statements to U.S. immigration authorities regarding his criminal actions, fraudulently obtaining a green card, and attempting to become a U.S. citizen, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Hernan Vera in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors stated that Alsheikh instructed subordinates to inflict physical and psychological suffering on prisoners to suppress dissent against the government of former President Bashar al-Assad, and that he was personally involved in some of these incidents. The Department of Justice noted that Alsheikh, who held positions within the state security apparatus, represents the highest-ranking former member of Assad's government to be tried and convicted in person outside of Syria.
Alsheikh's defense team had requested a five-year sentence and expressed disappointment following his conviction in March. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. Alsheikh served as the head of Adra Prison from 2005 to 2008.
