California choose sentences former Syrian jail boss to 60 years for torturing inmates
A federal choose in California has sentenced a former Syrian jail warden to 60 years for torturing inmates and mendacity to immigration officers to get into the United States.
A jury convicted Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 74, in March of conspiracy to commit torture, three counts of torture, one rely of visa fraud and one rely of tried naturalization fraud, in line with the U.S. lawyer’s workplace in Los Angeles.
Alsheikh was concerned in torturing political dissidents to discourage opposition to the regime of then-Syrian President Bashar Assad, in line with the Justice Department.
Government officers say Alsheikh is the highest-ranking former member of the Assad regime to be tried and convicted in particular person outdoors Syria.
The Justice Department had sought no fewer than 80 years in jail, whereas Alsheikh requested 5 years, citing his age and his persistent medical circumstances.
Victims on the trial testified about being fixed to a tool generally known as the “Flying Carpet,” which folded their our bodies in half on the waist.
(U.S. Department of Justice)
In handing down the sentence on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Hernán Vera remarked on the “utter reprehensibility” of Alsheikh’s crime, Courthouse News Service reported.
“The conduct was heinous, unimaginably merciless and unspeakably violent and brutal,” the choose reportedly stated.
Nina Marino, Alsheikh’s lawyer, stated her shopper plans to enchantment the sentence.
In an announcement, First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli stated he hoped the sentence “offers some semblance of therapeutic and closure to this defendant’s victims.”
“Criminals who inflict the kind of savage brutality that this defendant did on his victims must not ever be granted refuge in our nation,” Essayli stated.
During Alsheikh’s trial, prosecutors introduced proof that Alsheikh ordered and took part within the torture of prisoners whereas he headed the Adra Prison, often known as Damascus Central Prison, from round 2005 to 2008.
Jurors heard testimony from three of Alsheikh’s victims who stated they have been packed into small, filthy, chilly, moist cells that have been infested with bugs and different vermin. They described being tortured and seeing and listening to the torture of different prisoners.
The victims testified about being fixed to a tool generally known as the “Flying Carpet,” which folded their our bodies in half on the waist; about being manacled to the ceiling and suspended generally for days; and about being crushed whereas immobilized inside tires, in line with the U.S. lawyer’s workplace in L.A.
During the trial, prosecutors introduced proof that when detainees refused Alsheikh’s orders to hurt political prisoners, he ordered them to be despatched to an underground part of the jail generally known as Wing 13, the place they have been tortured.
Prosecutors additionally introduced proof that Alsheikh, who got here to the nation in 2020, lied to U.S. immigration authorities about his background to safe a inexperienced card and in addition on an software to naturalize as a U.S. citizen.
Alsheikh has been in custody since his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport in July 2024.
Khaled Abdul Malek, who testified about being detained and tortured underneath Alsheikh’s course, praised the sentence in a statement.
“The land of freedom won’t ever be a secure haven for slaughterers and people who dedicated crimes towards humanity,” Malek stated. “This trial is just not the top, however step one on the street towards accountability and justice for everybody whose palms have been stained with the blood of harmless folks.”
