- Robert Levinson
Robert A. “Bob” Levinson is an American
private detective and former FBI agent. [cite news | title = Intrigue Surrounds Former FBI Agent Who Disappeared in Iran Two Months Ago | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/10/america/NA-GEN-US-Iran-Missing.php | publisher =Associated Press | date =2007-05-10 | accessdate = 2007-05-13] He disappeared in March 2007 when visitingIran 'sKish Island while apparently researching a cigarette-smuggling case. He had previously worked on an inquiry into the murder of AmericanPaul Klebnikov inMoscow . [cite journal |last=Horton |first=Scott |authorlink=Scott Horton (lawyer) |year=2007 |month=April |title=American FBI Alumnus Goes Missing in Iran |journal=Harper's Magazine |url=http://harpers.org/archive/2007/04/horton-missing-in-iran |accessdate=2008-08-08]The Iranian government has stated that it has no information about the case, but officials from the U.S. State Department have cast doubt on the Iranian government's claims.cite news | title = U.S. woman plans trip to Iran to search for missing former FBI agent husband | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/02/america/NA-GEN-US-Iran-Missing-Man.php | publisher =
International Herald Tribune | date =2007-08-02 ]On September 5, 2007 Iran blocked a US request to allow Swiss diplomats to go to Kish Island to look for the luggage or other traces of Levinson. [cite news |first=Robin |last=Wright |authorlink=Robin Wright (author) |title=Iran Rejects Search for Traces of Ex-FBI Agent, U.S. Says |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/04/AR2007090400884.html |work=
The Washington Post |page=A14 |date=September 5 ,2007 |accessdate=2008-08-08]Media reported in August 2007 that Christine Levinson, wife of Robert, was planning a trip to Iran with their oldest son. The Department of State stressed that there was a travel warning to that country and they would be doing so on their own decision. Iran announced on September 23, 2007, that she would be allowed to visit the country. [cite news |title=Iran: Missing American's family can visit |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/23/iran.levinson/ |work=
CNN |date=September 23 ,2007 |accessdate=2008-08-08]In December 2007, Christine Levinson and her son traveled to Iran to attempt to learn more about Levinson's disappearance. That trip yielded nothing new. [cite news |first=Daniel |last=Levinson |title=Missing a Father in Iran |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002274.html |work=
The Washington Post |page=B07 |date=June 22 ,2008 |accessdate=2008-08-08] In July 2008, Christine said that she wanted to soon travel to Iran again. [cite news |title=Wife of ex-FBI agent to repeat Iran visit in search of her husband |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jul/1147.html |work=Payvand |date=July 15 ,2008 |accessdate=2008-08-08]In a recent interview with
NBC 'sBrian Williams , Iranian presidentMahmoud Ahmadinejad was questioned regarding Levinson's case and its status. He responded:There was a claim made some time ago, some people came over, the gentleman’s family came over. They talked and met with our officials and were given our responses. I see no reason for a person who was given an Iranian visa and — came into Iran, arrived in Iran through official channels, to have problems here. Our security officials and agents have expressed their willingness to assess the FBI if the FBI has any information about his travels around the world.
We have said that we are ready to help, to assist with that matter. There are certain information that only FBI at the moment have. I am not an expert in that field, as you might appreciate, so I’m not going to make a judgment here whether that information, as they say, it is true and only held by the FBI or other parties for that matter. [cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25887437/page/4/ |title=Transcript: ‘Response ... will be a positive one’ |accessdate=2008-08-08 |date=
July 28 ,2008 |format=NBC Nightly News |work=msnbc.com ]References
External links
* [http://helpboblevinson.spaces.live.com/ Help Bob Levinson]
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