A law firm based in Washington, D.C. achieved a significant legal victory by securing a judgment exceeding $20 million against the Syrian Arab Republic on behalf of Sam Goodwin, a St. Louis native who was held captive in the country’s infamous prison system for 63 days during an ambitious quest to visit every country in the world. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly awarded Goodwin a total of $20,201,620, which included roughly $10 million each in compensatory and punitive damages. This ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, exploiting the “state sponsor of terrorism” exception. Notably, around half of the awarded amount will be covered through the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, a program financed by the proceeds of sanctions and other penalties, allowing Goodwin to potentially receive a portion of his compensatory damages over several years.
The legal team led by Kirby Behre from the law firm Miller & Chevalier emphasized the broader implications of the judgment. Behre stated that nations violating international human rights must face consequences, reinforcing international acknowledgment of the atrocities committed by the Assad regime. While no amount of money can truly compensate for Goodwin’s suffering, the judgment represents a significant stride towards holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. Goodwin’s ordeal began in 2019 when he entered war-torn Syria from Iraq, mistakenly believing he would be safe in Qamishli, a city under US-backed Kurdish control.
Goodwin’s harrowing experience began when he was apprehended by armed men in military uniforms while on a call with his mother. He was subsequently taken to Syria’s Military Intelligence Branch 215, a facility notorious for housing political prisoners, where he endured 27 days of solitary confinement. Goodwin recounted the extreme isolation he faced, with limited human interactions and inadequate food and water. His lawyers indicated that during his detention, he experienced torture and prolonged interrogations, with threats from his captors to hand him over to ISIS when he denied allegations of being a spy.
The path to Goodwin’s release was fraught with challenges, requiring the involvement of various entities including the FBI, CIA, and diplomatic channels. General Abbas Ibrahim from Lebanon played a pivotal role in negotiating Goodwin’s release, highlighting the extensive efforts of his family who collaborated with multiple officials and experts. Beyond recovering Goodwin, the judgment signifies a broader statement regarding human rights abuses, serving as a potential source of inspiration for other victims to speak out against injustices they may have faced.
Beyond Goodwin’s case, Miller & Chevalier has garnered attention for securing other significant judgments against the Syrian government. Notably, in 2023, the firm obtained a judgment of approximately $50 million for Kevin Dawes, another American who was subjected to illegal arrest, imprisonment, and torture in Syria. The firm recently initiated a lawsuit on behalf of Dr. Majd Kamalmaz’s family, a psychotherapist presumed abducted, tortured, and killed by the Syrian authorities.
The implications of Goodwin’s case extend beyond personal restitution—setting a precedent for accountability against state-sponsored human rights violations. Goodwin himself expressed hope that the judgment not only recognizes his suffering but also serves as a warning that such crimes will not go unpunished. His experience, coupled with ongoing efforts by advocacy groups and legal teams, further illustrates a collective mission to confront and expose enduring atrocities committed by oppressive regimes worldwide.
