Robert Levinson’s Attorney Says His Family Has Filed a Complaint Against Iran

David McGee, attorney for the family of Robert Levinson, a retired FBI official who disappeared on Kish Island ten years ago, told the New York Times that members of Levinson’s family have filed a complaint against Iran with the federal court in Washington.

According to the New York Times, Robert Levinson’s wife and seven children filed this complaint. They are seeking damages for what they described as “Iran’s role,” including in “imposing psychological and mental pressures” on them. The details of the damages sought have not been specified.

David McGee, one of Robert Levinson’s attorneys, said in an interview with the New York Times, “We are seeking justice… At the same time, we want the world to know about Iran’s hypocritical and oppressive behavior.”

The New York Times says Iran’s representation to the United Nations left two emails regarding this matter unanswered. Several Iranian domestic news agencies that reported on Levinson’s complaint have also not published any reaction from Tehran officials.

Previously, last month, his family members sought help from Donald Trump, the newly elected U.S. president, and told the Associated Press that Trump’s track record “as a successful dealmaker and his decisive approach with the Iranian government” could be effective in clarifying what happened to Levinson.

At the same time, the White House issued a statement on the matter, saying “The Trump administration has a firm commitment to finding Mr. Levinson and bringing him home.”

Several other American citizens who were once detained in Iran have filed complaints against Tehran, accusing it of “hostage-taking,” “terrorism,” and “torture.” Nevertheless, the New York Times says the complaint filed by Levinson’s family appears unusual because Iranian officials have said, since Levinson’s disappearance, that they are unaware of his whereabouts or what happened to him.

For example, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, said in an interview with the American television network CBS in December 2013 that the government had no information about Levinson’s fate and possible whereabouts.

Levinson’s family attorney described the statements of Iranian officials as “hollow.”

Robert Levinson traveled to Kish Island in Iran in March 2007.

After his disappearance, it was said that he was engaged in private investigations for a large company regarding “cigarette smuggling.”

The Associated Press reported in December 2013 that Mr. Levinson was gathering information for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA, on an officially unconfirmed mission. The Barack Obama administration expressed regret over the publication of this report, and the CIA declined to comment on it.

David McGee once told Reuters that he was investigating money laundering by high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic.

The New York Times says that in the Levinson family’s 14-page complaint, no new information about him has been raised.

Source: Radio Farda