Iran sued over disappearance of former FBI agent

The family of a former Jewish FBI agent, Robert Levinson, filed a lawsuit against Iran over the disappearance of their family member in Iran over ten years ago.

The lawsuit was filed with the US District Court in Washington under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act “for injuries suffered by each of them as a result of Iran’s unlawful acts of hostage taking, torture and other torts.”

US investigators believe that Levinson is being held in Iran, whom the family accuse of “deception and lies” in hiding their role in his imprisonment.

Levinson disappeared 10 years ago on Iran’s Kish Island. If indeed Iran does have him in custody, he would be the longest held US civilian by a foreign government.

Iran, however, has denied having anything to do with his disappearance and has said it doesn’t know where he is.

Image of US President Donald Trump attends a conference at the White House on March 17, 2017 (Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency)

While American officials believe Iran was involved in Levinson’s capture and imprisonment, the Obama administration never challenged the Iranians and neither has current US President Donald Trump, the New York Times reported.

In 2015, before three other Americans held by Iran were released, Trump – then a presidential candidate – promised: “If I win the presidency, I guarantee you that those four prisoners are back in our country before I ever take office. I guarantee that.”

In a press statement released earlier this month by the White House to mark the Ten-Year Anniversary of the Disappearance of Robert Levinson, Trump’s administration said it “remains unwavering in [our] commitment to locate Mr. Levinson and bring him home.  We want him back, and we will spare no effort to achieve that goal”.

Trump’s administration also offered $5 million reward for information that leads to Levinson’s location and safe return.