The family of Majd Kamalmaz, an American psychotherapist who died in Syria's infamous prison system, has filed a civil lawsuit against the Syrian government, accusing it of abduction, torture, and killing. The lawsuit sheds light on the grim reality of Syria's human rights violations and calls for international action to hold the Assad regime responsible.
The family of Majd Kamalmaz, an American psychotherapist who died in Syria's infamous prison system, has filed a civil lawsuit against the Syrian government, accusing it of abduction, torture, and killing.
Kamalmaz was detained at a government checkpoint in Damascus, Syria, in 2017, while visiting an elderly family member. The lawsuit, filed under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's "state sponsor of terrorism" exception, seeks compensatory damages for wrongful death, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment.
U.S. Psychotherapist's Death in Syria Demands Accountability
The plaintiffs also seek punitive damages, bringing the total claim to at least $70 million.
The lawsuit alleges that Kamalmaz was unlawfully detained, falsely imprisoned, and subjected to inhuman and unlawful treatment in notorious Syrian prisons, including the Mezzeh Military Airport, which is known for the "torture and murder of perceived enemies of the Syrian regime."
U.S. Psychotherapist's Death in Syria Demands Accountability
"Syrian officials and agents purposefully killed Mr. Kamalmaz. Acting in concert and with premeditation, these officials and agents deliberately killed Mr. Kamalmaz and attempted to cover up his death," the lawsuit reads in part.
"The Syrian regime's killing of Mr. Kamalmaz was designed to intimidate and terrorize the civilian population of Syria, the victims' loved ones, and the international community."
U.S. Psychotherapist's Death in Syria Demands Accountability
Former U.S. special envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn described the Assad regime as "the most cynical regime in the world." Rayburn emphasized the need for the U.S. government to take action against the Syrian government for its crimes against humanity.
"We cannot allow this to slide, we cannot allow this to pass," Rayburn said. "We need to hold the Assad regime accountable."
U.S. Psychotherapist's Death in Syria Demands Accountability
The Kamalmaz family's lawyer, Kirby Behre, said the lawsuit is a step towards holding the Syrian regime responsible for its crimes and bringing international attention to Syria's ongoing human rights violations.
"The family filed this suit to bring international attention to Syria's crimes against thousands of victims, and is counting on the U.S. government to initiate criminal charges against Syria," Behre said.
U.S. Psychotherapist's Death in Syria Demands Accountability
The U.S. government has a fund set up for victims of state-sponsored terrorism that could provide compensation for the Kamalmaz family should the court rule in their favor and award them damages.
The United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund can pay out claims, with a cap of $20 million per person or $20 million to $35 million per family. Depending on the amount of money in the fund, the family could get a certain percentage of whatever award is given over several years.
The Kamalmaz family is calling on the U.S. Senate to pass the Assad Anti-Normalization Act, which would impose additional sanctions on the Assad regime and prevent U.S. companies from doing business in Syria.
"I know that if my father was with me right now, he would not rest until all men, women, and children are released from the Assad regime's concentration camps," said Kamalmaz's daughter, Maryam.
"In his honor, we plan to hold the regime fully accountable for its crimes against Americans and Syrians alike, and we call on the U.S. Senate to urgently pass the Assad Anti-Normalization Act for the sake of Americans still held by this criminal regime."
