A Texas family files a lawsuit against Syria for the death of their loved one: "Seeking justice for the loss of a loved one, Texas family sues Syria."

In 2017, an American psychotherapist named Majd Kamalmaz was detained at a government checkpoint in Damascus, Syria. His family has now filed a civil lawsuit against the Syrian government, alleging that he was abducted, tortured, and killed.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that Syrian officials intentionally killed Kamalmaz and attempted to conceal his death.

Last month, Maryam, his daughter, disclosed to Planet Chronicle Digital that U.S. officials had given the Kamalmaz family confidential information in May, stating that they believe he perished in Syria's infamous prison system.

The lawsuit, under the "state sponsor of terrorism" exception of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, seeks damages for wrongful death, assault and battery, emotional distress, and false imprisonment.

In addition to compensatory damages, the plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages, increasing their total claim to at least $70 million.

On behalf of the Kamalmaz family, we have initiated the first step towards holding the Syrian regime accountable for the murder of Majd Kamalmaz, which was a result of its crimes against him, as stated by Kirby Behre, lead counsel for the Kamalmaz family, in a press release from the Syrian Emergency Task Force.

"The family is seeking international attention for Syria's crimes against thousands of victims and hopes the U.S. government will initiate criminal charges against Syria."

At the time of his detainment, Kamalmaz was visiting an elderly family member and had plans to set up a clinic in Syria to assist those affected by the civil war.

Earlier this year, Ula, his daughter, revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that the family never received a reason for his detention because there was no case or crime against him.

She suggested her father could have been detained due to his American passport.

"She stated that he didn't engage in any political activities. He was not politically inclined, and his main focus was on his work as a psychotherapist, helping refugees."

"They established a temporary checkpoint with the intention of kidnapping him, believing they could profit from him. This is how they operate in Syria. Unfortunately, they will detain the individual and demand a substantial sum from the family to release him." Ula concluded, "It's just very corrupt."

The lawsuit accuses Dr. Kamalmaz of being illegally held, falsely imprisoned, and mistreated inhumely in infamous Syrian prisons, including the Mezzeh Military Airport, known for the "torture and murder of perceived enemies of the Syrian regime."

The lawsuit stated that Syrian officials and agents intentionally killed Mr. Kamalmaz and tried to conceal his death.

"The Syrian government's murder of Mr. Kamalmaz was intended to intimidate and terrify the Syrian people, their families, and the international community."

The Kamalmaz family could potentially receive compensation from a U.S. government fund established for victims of state-sponsored terrorism if the court rules in their favor and awards damages.

The United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund can pay out claims, with a cap of $20 million per person or $20 million to $35 million per family. The family could receive a certain percentage of the award over several years, depending on the amount of money in the fund.

"If my father were here, he would not rest until all people are freed from Assad's concentration camps, said Maryam. In his memory, we pledge to hold the regime accountable for its crimes against Americans and Syrians, and urge the U.S. Senate to quickly pass the Assad Anti-Normalization Act to protect those still held by this criminal regime."