LOS ANGELES
A former Syrian government official was indicted Thursday for allegedly lying to U.S. immigration authorities, according to authorities.
Samir Ousman Alsheikh allegedly lied about his time running a Syrian prison where prisoners, including political dissidents, were physically mistreated.
Alsheikh, 72, of Lexington, South Carolina, is charged with one count of using a green card obtained through false statements and one count of attempted naturalization fraud.
Alsheikh was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 10 at Los Angeles International Airport and remains in federal custody.
His arraignment is scheduled for August 16 in federal court.
“Samir Alsheikh attempted to settle in Southern California after allegedly participating in grave abuses while part of the Assad regime in Syria,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “His indictment sends a clear message that those who seek immigration benefits in our country after having previously committed human rights violations will find no shelter here.”
According to court documents, Alsheikh was a Syrian government official who held a variety of positions in the Syrian police and the Syrian state security apparatus and was associated with the Syrian Ba’ath Party, the totalitarian party that ruled Syria.
He allegedly served as the head of Damascus Central Prison (commonly known as “Adra Prison”) from around 2005 to 2010. During his tenure, political dissidents and other prisoners were reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse.
Additionally, the indictment states that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad appointed him governor of the Deir Ez-Zour province following his time in Adra Prison.
When applying for U.S. citizenship in 2023, Alsheikh allegedly hid his employment at the prison, the persecution of individuals due to their political opinions, and his involvement in harming others.
He is also accused of making similar false statements when he applied for a visa to enter the United States in 2020, which allowed him to become a lawful permanent resident and obtain a green card, the indictment states.
If convicted, Alsheikh faces up to 10 years in federal prison. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are investigating the case.