Samir Ousman al-Sheikh convicted for torture, immigration and naturalisation fraud
On 16 March 2026, Samir Ousman al-Sheikh was convicted by the US Central District Court for California for three counts of torture and one count of conspiracy to commit torture carried out in his role as the Head of Adra Prison. CIJA has assisted US in their investigation into Samir Ousman al-Sheikh since 2021, responding to six RFAs with 71 pages of Regime documents, an analytical report and 75 redacted witness interviews which confirmed his role and responsibilities as Head of Adra Prison between 2005 2008, Governor of Deir ez-Zour and Head of the Deir ez-Zour Security Committee in 2011. CIJA also hosted one office briefing for prosecutors in the case.