WASHINGTON DC, April 8, 2026 – Miller & Chevalier and the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) are proud to announce today that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has entered default judgment against the former Assad regime in the wrongful death case of American citizen Majd Kamalmaz. The court formally held the Assad regime responsible for Majd's abduction, arbitrary detention, torture, and death, and awarded $134.29 million in damages to his estate and surviving family members.

Majd Kamalmaz, a U.S. citizen, psychotherapist, and humanitarian worker, was detained in 2017 at a regime checkpoint in Damascus while visiting family and assisting refugees affected by the Syrian conflict. He was held in facilities widely known for torture and inhumane treatment. In 2024, the U.S. government confirmed that Majd had died in regime custody.

The judgment was entered under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's (FSIA) state sponsor of terrorism exception and represents a significant step toward accountability for crimes committed against an American citizen. The court awarded $67.145 million in compensatory damages, including damages for Majd's pain and suffering during more than seven years of captivity, solatium damages for his family, and an additional $67.145 million in punitive damages to punish and deter the Assad regime's conduct.

"This judgment is a meaningful step towards accountability for Majd Kamalmaz and his family," said Kirby Behre, Member at Miller & Chevalier and lead counsel for the Kamalmaz family. "The court's ruling formally recognizes the Assad regime's responsibility for Majd's abduction, torture, and death, and underscores that even sovereign actors can be held accountable in U.S. courts for acts of state-sponsored terrorism. While no court decision can undo the harm suffered by Majd and his loved ones, the judgment reinforces the rule of law and sends a clear signal that acts of state‑sponsored torture and killing will not go unanswered."

The Syrian Emergency Task Force, which has supported the Kamalmaz family since Majd's disappearance, emphasized that the ruling carries broader implications beyond this individual case. "This ruling sends a clear message that those responsible for the detention, torture, and killing of civilians will face consequences, and represents a measure of justice for the countless victims of the Assad regime," said Mouaz Moustafa, SETF's Executive Director. "In Majd's case, we urge the U.S. government to build on this decision by opening a criminal investigation and pursuing charges against those responsible."

The ruling marks a major legal milestone in the pursuit of justice for Majd Kamalmaz and reinforces the continued commitment of Miller & Chevalier and SETF to holding perpetrators of torture and state-sponsored terrorism accountable under U.S. law.

About Miller & Chevalier

Founded in 1920, Miller & Chevalier is a Washington, DC law firm with a global perspective and leading practices in Litigation, White Collar Defense and Investigations, International Law, and Business & Human Rights. Miller & Chevalier's litigation team is at the forefront of holding terrorist nations such as Iran and Syria accountable for their atrocities against U.S. citizens. The firm represents victims of torture by state sponsors of terrorism and files suit in U.S. federal court to hold such countries accountable for their crimes. For more information on the firm, visit www.millerchevalier.com.

About the Syrian Emergency Task Force

The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) is a Syrian-American 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Dedicated to advancing Syria's future after the fall of the Assad regime, SETF supports a democratic transition, leads humanitarian efforts, and works to secure justice and accountability for war crimes committed by the regime and its allies. Today, SETF stands as the most notable American organization working on Syria, as evidenced by the impact it has made both on the ground in Syria and the U.S. SETF serves as a resource for education by bringing the voices of the Syrian people to the international stage. From testimonies at the U.N. Security Council to local grassroots community fundraisers, the team brings together like-minded people who are committed to rebuilding a peaceful, democratic Syria after enduring years of brutality under a repressive dictatorship. For more information on SETF, visit www.setf.ngo.