A Texas family is seeking justice after the death of their father in Syria's infamous prison system: 'Tortured and murdered'.

The Syrian government is being sued by the family of American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz, who is believed to have died in Syria's prison system, according to information presented to the family by U.S. officials.

In the near future, a lawsuit will be filed against the Syrian government at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., accusing them of various crimes including murder, torture, inhumane treatment, and false imprisonment.

In February 2017, while visiting a family member in Damascus, Kamalmaz, a U.S. citizen who helped survivors of Hurricane Katrina and refugees from war-torn Syria and Kosovo recover from trauma and PTSD, was detained at a government checkpoint.

Dr. Kamalmaz likely died within a year or two of his detainment, according to his daughter, Maryam, who cited U.S. officials. The officials did not disclose the manner or location of his death.

""He must have been killed under torture," she said."

In 2015, Human Rights Watch published an 86-page report detailing the deaths of numerous Syrians who perished in government detention centers.

The release of more than 28,000 photos by a Syrian military defector known as "Caesar" revealed people who had died in government custody with signs of torture, suffocation, starvation, and blunt-force trauma.

Ula, Dr. Kamalmaz's daughter, revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that the family was never informed of the reasons behind her father's detention as there was no case or crime committed 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."

In 2012, Austin Tice, an American freelance journalist, disappeared in Syria after being detained at a checkpoint while reporting on the civil war. Despite the Syrian government's denial of holding Tice or other Americans, his fate remains unknown.

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.

Maryam stated that she has "pleaded" for President Biden to contact her grandmother regarding her father's death, or at the very least, issue a statement acknowledging it.

""He's always busy with other families, but he selectively chooses who he cares about. He does this, as she stated." "We're not on his radar," she added."

"I can't let my father's unjust and unfair death pass without taking action."

The former U.S. special envoy for Syria, Joel Rayburn, advised the White House not to ignore the death of Dr. Kamalmaz.

"Rayburn stated that the Assad regime's abduction, probable torture, and murder of an American citizen should not be ignored. He emphasized that accountability is necessary to deter other regimes from repeating the same actions. If the international community fails to hold Assad responsible, it sends a message that such actions are acceptable, putting American citizens at risk worldwide."

The State Department spokesperson conveyed to Planet Chronicle Digital that the U.S. government expresses its sympathy to the Kamalmaz family and is dedicated to pursuing justice for Dr. Kamalmaz's demise.

"We express our sympathy to Majd Kamalmaz's family during this challenging period. The US has made significant efforts to bring Majd back, and we continue to work towards obtaining a complete explanation of his whereabouts."

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly acknowledged the death of Dr. Kamalmaz, nearly a month after the family's meeting with U.S. officials, stating that the Syrian government is responsible for what happened to Majd.

The statement read in part, "We support the families of those who are missing or unjustly detained in Syria in their pursuit of justice."

The Kamalmaz family was honored at the State Department, U.S. Capitol, and White House on Tuesday with the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag. The flag is flown over government buildings in Washington D.C. whenever Americans held captive overseas are pronounced dead or come home safely.

Biden established an annual National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day and an official flag last year.

The National Security Council and the State Department were consulted by the White House regarding Planet Chronicle Digital.