Iran denies holding missing American
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran denies holding missing American, 16 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e659fa7.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 16, 2013
A photograph of missing retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared in 2007 on the Iranian island of Kish. The family received it by e-mail in April 2011.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says an American who disappeared in Iran six years ago is not being held by the Iranian government.
Referring to Robert Levinson, who disappeared during a visit to Iran's southern Kish Island in 2007, Zarif said: "We know that he is not incarcerated in Iran. If he is, he is not incarcerated by the government."
Zarif said that if Tehran discovered any information about Levinson's whereabouts, it would then discuss his return.
Last week, the Associated Press and "The Washington Post" reported that Levinson, a retired FBI agent, had been sent to Iran at the direction of Central Intelligence Agency analysts who had no authority to run operations overseas.
The White House responded by saying that Levinson "was not a U.S. government employee when he went missing."
Based on reporting by Press.tv and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
