Former Syrian prison chief convicted in landmark torture trial in LA

NPR | By Deborah Amos

Published March 18, 2026 at 4:07 PM EDT

A former Syrian prison chief has been convicted in a landmark torture trial in Los Angeles.

Deborah Amos

Deborah Amos covers the Middle East for NPR News. Her reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition.

See stories by Deborah Amos

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

The Commonwealth

Resolution to impeach Lexington judge filed in Kentucky House

Sylvia Goodman

Days after a heated hearing, the chair of the House impeachment committee filed articles of impeachment against sitting Fayette County Circuit Court Judge Julie Muth Goodman.
New York Times reports sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez

Adrian Florido, Mary Louise Kelly, Eric McDaniel

A New York Times investigation has revealed allegations that the late renowned labor leader Cesar Chavez abused girls and raped Dolores Huerta, his longtime organizing partner.
Senate Intelligence Committee questions national security chiefs about the Iran war

Greg Myre, Mary Louise Kelly

The nation's top intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard, said today that Iran's government still seems to be functioning, though it has been greatly weakened by the U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign.
Tracing recent events that led Netanyahu to launch the war against Iran

Daniel Estrin

A chain of events in recent years led Israel and the U.S. to do what they had hesitated to do for decades: launch all-out war against Iran.
Federal Reserve holds a key interest rate steady amid growing economic pressures

Scott Horsley, Mary Louise Kelly

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady today. The central bank is wrestling with a lot of uncertainty with a weak job market and stubborn inflation.