Robert Levinson

Bob’s Story: Seven Years a Hostage!

bob lMarch 9, 2007 to March 9, 2014 – SEVEN YEARS … 2,557 Days! That’s how long Robert Levinson has been held against his will in iran. Bob, as he is best known to family and friends, was taken by unknown persons from Iran’s Island of Kish, an international ‘resort’ approximately 11 miles off of Iran’s southwest coast. He entered Iran legally, since no visa is required to arrive on Kish Island. Thus it seems unlikely Levinson had ever intended to enter mainland Iran. He retired from the FBI and DEA after 33 years of service in 2006. Levinson was working as an independent private investigator on a theft/piracy matter on behalf of commercial clients, according to U.S. Government statements.

This was the official story until December 12, 2013. In late November, however, the unwelcome record of being the longest held American hostage was observed by both the FBI and his family. Tehran officials at first said they knew nothing about Bob’s disappearance. But U.S. officials, led by the FBI disagree and have reason to believe Iran knows who is holding him and where. But these reports are unconfirmed.

March, 2012 – Former FBI Director Mueller announces $1,000,000 reward upon the sixth anniversary of his capture. The reward is for information that leads to the return of Mr. Levinson.

levinson after 4 yearsSeptember, 2012 – Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in New York City for his annual speech at the UN. Charlie Rose interviewed him on CBS and he “did not deny Iran still has Levinson in its custody, and hinted that there had been talks about a prisoner exchange.” Rose asked, “Is there anything that could happen, a trade or something, that could allow him to come back to the United States?”

Ahmadinejad replied: “I remember that last year Iranian and American intelligence groups had a meeting, but I haven’t followed up on it. I thought they’d come to some kind of an agreement.”  CBS’ John Miller observed that was “tacit admission that [Levinson] is in their custody and that there have been talks,” in and of itself, “this is a big step.”

bob l toughNovember 26, 2013 – A somber milestone was just observed. Robert Levinson,  65,  has been held 2,455 days, exceeding the 2,454 days that Terry Anderson, former AP Bureau Chief, spent in captivity after being kidnapped by Iranian backed Hezbollah militants in Beirut, Lebanon in the 1980s.

Because of this unfortunate milestone, there was wide press coverage recently for Mr. Levinson – this made the ‘good deal’ we just made with Iran seem even more ironic.  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, point-person on the Iran nuclear negotiations, however assured: “We are not stupid; we are clear-eyed about this.” His family and the nation only hopes this is true.

bob l family FB touched upChristine Levinson, Robert’s wife, wrote that the pain of her family gathering for their seventh Thanksgiving recently without her husband will be “almost impossible to bear.” “To whoever is holding Bob, I ask again for your mercy,” she said in a statement on HelpBobLevinson.com. “Bob, if somehow you see or hear these words: Stay strong. You have a new grandson, just a month old. We can’t wait for you to meet him. We love you and will never stop working to bring you home safely.”

Screenshot 2013-12-13 11.53.10December 12, 2013 –  ‘Breaking News’ In a case that has been virtually dormant for years, two AP writers reported in an extensive article that the CIA was responsible for sending Mr. Levinson on a secret fact-gathering mission. It was so secret it was not even known by most others at CIA HQ except for a handful of analysts. The upshot is that nearly 7 years after the fact, it appears that Bob had gone missing on March 9, 2007 while conducting U.S. ‘company business’ abroad. He wasn’t an employee or operative, but he was being paid contractually by the CIA according to the AP story. The Levinson family attorney has corroborated important parts of this story.  Pundits have speculated about Bob’s fate, but we must assume he is still alive. There is no evidence or even a whisper of his death by anyone. This website page was posted about the same time the AP ‘scandal revelations’ came out. We decided it had no impact on our efforts to increase Americans’ awareness of Levinson’s plight. We continue to pray for him, his family and for the U.S. Government at all levels to: a) communicate the truth to the family and public about his whereabouts and condition and b) maximize efforts to return Bob to his family, friends and country! (Image above: frame grab from WSVN-TV CH 7 Miami 12/13/2013.)

There have been no visits by the Red Crescent, Red Cross or diplomats during this entire time. In past similar situations, when the U.S. President spoke out making his assertions and desires very clear, and referred to hostages by name instead of generalities, this would: a) improve hostage conditions and b) obtain their eventual release sooner. Can you imagine for a moment what would happen to the nuclear agreement talks with Iran if any one of the three American hostages died in Iran’s custody? Iran should be very concerned. Are they? Not if the USA shows that it does not place a high priority on their immediate release!

There’s universal agreement with the following:

obama quote

January 1, 2014 – This marks 2,490 days that Robert Levinson has been detained in Iran. That’s 6 years, 9 months and 23 days.

bob l 7 yrs sign picMarch 9, 2014 – This marks SEVEN YEARS (2,557 days) that Robert Levinson has been held captive in Iran!

Family’s statement posted March 7, 2014 on Facebook:

“After seven years, we have almost no words left to describe our life without Bob.  We miss his face, his voice, his laughter, his wisdom and his embrace.  We miss everything about Bob.  No matter where we turn, Bob is absent. Bob will be 66 years old on Monday, March 10.”

January 1 to July 4, 2014 – There are 184 days (6 months and 4 days) between these two dates. And Iran has been given 6 months (180 days) to show good faith regarding their nuclear programs. America must insist that no more billions of US dollars, gold or other resources will be unfrozen and transferred to Iran as a result of further sanctions loosening. Neither should oil exports flow freely to other nations, including Russia that has negotiated a side deal worth $1.5 bln/month known as ‘oil for goods.’ In this barter system Russia would continue building Iran’s nuclear facilities in exchange for oil that may be used or sold on the open market. Finally, the main intention of the current nuclear talks, the cessation of Iran’s nuclear weapons program, must be proved and continually verified.

NO MORE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OR GOLD TO IRAN UNTIL THEY FREE ALL THREE!

Contact Info:  If you have any helpful information, please contact the family at  info@helpboblevinson.com  or by telephone at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Website: http://helpboblevinson.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/helpboblevinson

Twitter: @helpboblevinson

In conclusion:

  United to Free the Iran Three!

  “United We Stand” is more than a chant,

  a United effort, by a United people,

  in these United States, there is no “We can’t!”

Daniel

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