Federal judge issues $20M verdict against Syria for torture of US citizen taken captive in 2019
Share this @internewscast.com

A law firm based in Washington, D.C. has won a judgment exceeding $20 million against the Syrian Arab Republic. This victory comes on behalf of Sam Goodwin, a native of St. Louis, who was detained in Syria’s infamous prison system for 63 days during his quest to visit every country around the globe.

U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly granted Goodwin a total of $20,201,620 in damages, split nearly evenly between compensatory and punitive damages. This award stems from a lawsuit filed under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act’s exception for “state sponsors of terrorism.”

Approximately half of this judgment may be paid from the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, which draws from sanctions proceeds and other collected penalties. The fund might provide Goodwin a portion of the compensatory damages over several years, based on its available resources.

sam goodwin

Goodwin spoke with Fox News Digital ahead of the release of his book, “Saving Sam: The True Story of an American’s Disappearance in Syria and His Family’s Extraordinary Fight to Bring Him Home.” (Courtesy of Sam Goodwin)

His release was secured by General Abbas Ibrahim, then Lebanon’s top security official, who was put in contact with the family by Joseph Abbas, the uncle of Goodwin’s sister’s friend and former college roommate.

His family worked tirelessly to bring him home, collaborating with the FBI, CIA, State Department, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Vatican envoys, Middle East experts and others.

“This judgment is about far more than what happened to me. It’s a stand for anyone who has suffered human rights abuses around the world. I hope it gives other victims the courage to speak up and, above all, serves as a warning that such crimes will not be tolerated or forgotten,” Goodwin told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Sam Goodwin with two men in Lebanon

Sam Goodwin (left), Gen. Abbas Ibrahim (middle) and Joseph Abbas (right) meet in Lebanon. (Sam Goodwin)

Miller & Chevalier has secured other judgments against the Syrian Arab Republic, including one for approximately $50 million in 2023 for Kevin Dawes, another American citizen who was illegally arrested, imprisoned and tortured in Syria.

In July, it filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of Dr. Majd Kamalmaz, a psychotherapist and humanitarian who was detained at a government checkpoint in Damascus, Syria, in 2017, accusing the Syrian Arab Republic of abducting, torturing and killing him.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Protests erupt as ICE agents raid NYC Chinatown street vendors allegedly selling counterfeit goods

ICE Agents Conduct Raids on NYC Chinatown Vendors Amid Counterfeit Goods Allegations, Sparking Protests

In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, a federal operation in…
California woman hit by small plane during crash landing on soccer field

Shocking Plane Crash: California Woman Struck During Emergency Landing on Soccer Field

A woman in California was hit by a small aircraft that crash-landed…
Hunter Biden Reveals Profane Rage, Near Threat Toward Obama After Infamous Moment on Stage With His Dad

Explosive Revelation: Hunter Biden’s Fiery Outburst and Tension with Obama Exposed

Hunter Biden doesn’t hold Barack Obama in high regard. Tension between their…
Family fights for father's release from ICE custody after Crestwood arrest, details conditions at Broadview facility

Family Battles for Father’s Freedom: Inside the Harrowing Conditions at Broadview ICE Facility After Crestwood Arrest

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mariana Cabrera recounted the tense hours her family endured,…
Chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky is remembered as a leader in the game's online surge

Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Celebrated as a Pioneer in the Online Chess Renaissance

Daniel Naroditsky, a prominent figure in competitive chess who rose to fame…
Car rams into White House barricade, suspect arrested: officials

Breaking News: Security Breach at White House as Vehicle Crashes into Barricade – Suspect in Custody

On Tuesday night, authorities apprehended a suspect following an incident where a…
North Carolina man recounts shooting after Trump banner torn from mother’s yard: 'Some people just snap'

North Carolina Man Reflects on Shooting Incident Over Torn Trump Banner: A Tale of Sudden Anger

A troubling incident in North Carolina has captured attention, as a man…
Texas couple arrested after body of special needs son, 26, discovered buried in backyard

Texas Couple Detained Following Discovery of Their 26-Year-Old Special Needs Son’s Burial in Backyard

A couple from Texas has been taken into custody following the discovery…
National Guard Chicago news: Judge to consider extension of order temporarily blocking National Guard in Chicago area

Judge to Decide Fate of National Guard Deployment in Chicago: Temporary Block Extension Under Review

The unfolding story in Chicago has taken a significant turn, as a…
Blue city mayor rocked as gunfire hits home, says ‘none of us are immune’ from crime

Shocking Gunfire at Mayor’s Home Sparks Urgent Call for Action: Why No City is Safe from Crime Anymore

In a startling incident over the weekend, the residence of Stockton Mayor…
Vance warns Hamas as Gaza peace plan's Civilian Military Cooperation Center opens

US Diplomat Vance Issues Strong Warning to Hamas Amid Launch of Gaza’s New Peace Initiative Center

Vice President JD Vance delivered a stern message to Hamas on Tuesday…
Illegal immigrants arrested after woman found shot to death in Texas woods, 1 wanted by Mexican feds: police

Texas Authorities Apprehend Suspected Illegal Immigrants in Connection with Fatal Shooting; One Suspect Sought by Mexican Authorities

Authorities have apprehended two Mexican nationals in Texas, linking them to the…