Law firm secures $20 million judgment for American traveler detained in Syria
A prominent Washington, D.C.-based law firm recently achieved a major victory on behalf of Sam Goodwin, a St. Louis native who was held captive in Syria’s notorious prison system for 63 days. The law firm secured a judgment of over $20 million against the Syrian Arab Republic, with U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly awarding Goodwin $20,201,620 in damages.
The lawsuit was filed under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act’s “state sponsor of terrorism” exception, which allowed for the significant judgment to be awarded. The damages include approximately $10 million each in compensatory and punitive damages. Goodwin’s ordeal in Syria, where he was detained while on a trip to visit every country in the world, was a harrowing experience that resulted in his imprisonment in a facility known for housing political prisoners.
Goodwin, a former Division I collegiate hockey player, was subjected to solitary confinement and torture during his time at Syria’s Military Intelligence Branch 215. He was interrogated and threatened with being handed over to ISIS if he did not admit to false accusations of espionage. His release was eventually secured with the help of General Abbas Ibrahim, Lebanon’s top security official, and the tireless efforts of Goodwin’s family, who worked with various agencies and experts to bring him home.
The judgment against the Syrian Arab Republic is not only a victory for Goodwin but also a stand against human rights abuses worldwide. The law firm behind the case, Miller & Chevalier, has a track record of securing justice for victims of the Assad regime, including a previous judgment of approximately $50 million for another American citizen, Kevin Dawes, who was also illegally detained and tortured in Syria.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Goodwin expressed hope that the judgment would give courage to other victims of human rights abuses to speak up and serve as a warning that such crimes will not be tolerated or forgotten. The law firm has also filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of Dr. Majd Kamalmaz, a psychotherapist and humanitarian who was detained, tortured, and killed by the Syrian Arab Republic.
The successful outcome of Goodwin’s case highlights the importance of holding nations accountable for violations of international human rights standards. It serves as a powerful step forward in the ongoing effort to confront those responsible for grave injustices and ensure that justice is served for victims of state-sponsored terrorism.
