Disappearance of Robert Levinson

"Robert Levinson" redirects here. For the American lyricist, see Robert Levenson.
Robert Levinson
Levinson while in captivity, November 2010
Born
Robert Alan Levinson[1]

(1948-03-10)March 10, 1948[2]
Flushing, New York, U.S.
DisappearedMarch 9, 2007 (aged 58)
Kish Island, Iran
StatusMissing for 17 years, 7 months and 30 days; declared dead in absentia on March 25, 2020(2020-03-25) (aged 72)[3]
OccupationFederal agent
Known forDisappearance in Iran
Perpetrators Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (alleged by the U.S., denied by Iran)
Accused
  • Mohammad Baseri
  • Ahmad Khazai
ContactOfficial website

Robert Alan "Bob" Levinson (March 10, 1948 – presumed death before March 25, 2020) was an American former Drug Enforcement Administration (1970–1976) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (1976–1998) agent who disappeared on March 9, 2007, in Kish Island, Iran, while on a mission for the Central Intelligence Agency (1998–2007). Levinson's family received a $2.5 million annuity from the CIA in order to stop a lawsuit revealing details of his work in Iran and to forestall any revelation of details regarding the arrangement between Levinson and the agency.[4]

He is believed to have been held captive by the Government of Iran,[5][6] while Iran does not acknowledge his arrest. According to his family, he suffered from type 1 diabetes, gout, and hypertension.[7] His passport has never shown up in any other country.[8]

On March 25, 2020, Levinson's family announced his presumed death on the advisement of the U.S. government, and although the date is unknown, it is assumed that he died while in Iranian custody.[9] On December 14, 2020, two employees of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in connection with the kidnapping.[10]

  1. ^ Stimson, Brie (November 9, 2019). "Iran acknowledges retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, missing since 2007, subject of 'on going case'". The Associated Press contributed to this report. Fox News. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "ROBERT A. LEVINSON". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference dead was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Iran calls ex-FBI agent's case a 'missing person' file". Associated Press. November 11, 2019. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  5. ^ Goldman, Adam (December 13, 2013). "National Security". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  6. ^ Pat Milton (May 10, 2007). "Intrigue Surrounds Former FBI Agent Who Disappeared in Iran Two Months Ago". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  7. ^ "Son of captured American pleads for father's release". Fox News. February 3, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  8. ^ "Family Asks For Help Locating Man Possibly Missing In Iran". Daily Press. September 30, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  9. ^ Man, Anthony (December 14, 2020). "Bob Levinson of Coral Springs died in Iranian custody, US government says". sun-sentinel.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "U.S. blacklists two Iranian officials over Levinson disappearance". Reuters. December 14, 2020. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.