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Although Blinken suggested that Levinson “was murdered,” he said the case “is not yet closed” even 14 years after the incident.
The United States imposed sanctions on two senior officials from the Iranian Intelligence and Security Ministry last December, accused of participating in “the kidnapping and detention of Bob Levinson.”
And the US Treasury announced that it had imposed sanctions on Muhammad Basri and Ahmed Khazaee (Judge Ahmed), on suspicion of their involvement in the kidnapping of former FBI officer Bob Levinson 13 years ago.
Levinson was vacationing on the Iranian island of Kish in 2007 before disappearing from it, and at the time the US government said he was not in Iran as one of its employees.
Years later, Iran said Levinson “left the country to an unknown destination,” but US authorities confirm that he was not released from Iranian detention, while a US court fined Tehran $ 1.4 billion last October for his kidnapping. and detention.
Criminal Court Judge Timothy Kelly said he adopted a private expert’s recommendation to award the Levinson family $ 107 million in compensation, and the judge ruled punitive damages of $ 1.3 billion.
Blinken called for “the release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran” and that “the abominable act of wrongful detention immediately cease for political purposes.”
Blinken said the Levinson family, who were on the Iranian island of Kish in 2007 before their abduction, “are demanding answers.”
“Bob’s legacy lives on through the Robert Levinson Hostage Act that was recently passed to hold kidnappers accountable,” added the US Secretary of State, adding that “this law is a fitting tribute to Bob, because it reaffirms the commitment of the United States. ” to guarantee the freedom of all US citizens wrongly imprisoned abroad. “And it codifies our commitment to providing guidance and support to the families of American hostages and those wrongfully detained.”
“America will never forget Bob Levinson,” Blinken said.
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