Samir Ousman Alsheikh, a 72-year-old former Syrian prison head, faces criminal charges in the United States for allegedly providing false information during his visa and citizenship application process. The US Department of Justice has accused Alsheikh of concealing his role at Adra prison and his association with Syria's ruling Ba'ath Party, which has been in power since 1963.
According to the indictment unsealed in a Los Angeles federal court, Alsheikh oversaw Adra prison from 2005 to 2010. During his tenure, he allegedly supervised severe physical abuse of inmates, including hangings and brutal beatings. Adra prison, situated in a Damascus suburb, housed political dissidents and other individuals accused of various crimes.
Alsheikh's time at the prison predated the Syrian Civil War, which began in March 2011. He later served as governor of Deir Ez-Zor province in eastern Syria, appointed by President Bashar al-Assad, who assumed office in 2000.
US law enforcement interviews with former inmates form the basis of the criminal complaint against Alsheikh. The document alleges that he achieved the rank of brigadier general while working in the Syrian police and domestic intelligence agency, known as the General Intelligence Directorate.
The charges against Alsheikh include attempted naturalization fraud and obtaining a green card through false statements. He allegedly made these misrepresentations when applying for a US visa in 2020 and again when seeking citizenship in 2023. The US naturalization process typically requires at least five years of permanent residency.
"The defendant is accused of concealing his role in political persecution and human rights abuses while seeking the privileges of US citizenship."
Authorities arrested Alsheikh in South Carolina last month after he purchased a one-way ticket to Beirut, Lebanon. A federal judge has ordered his detention, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August 16, 2024.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of the US government to prevent individuals with ties to human rights abuses from obtaining citizenship. Syria has been under various US sanctions since 2004, and the Syrian government faces accusations of numerous human rights violations by international organizations.
The charges against Alsheikh serve as a reminder of the serious consequences of naturalization fraud, which can result in denaturalization and deportation. As the legal proceedings unfold, this case may shed light on the challenges of vetting individuals with complex international backgrounds in the US immigration system.