A federal judge ruled that Iran is responsible for the abduction and torturing of Robert Levinson, after a motion by his family in a $1.5 billion lawsuit.
“This case, brought by Levinson’s family against the Islamic Republic of Iran for his hostage-taking and torture under the terrorism exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, is largely about whether it was the Iranian regime that committed these barbarous acts,” U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly ruled on Monday. “The Court finds, in no uncertain terms, that it was.”
Levinson’s family filed a lawsuit in 2017 against the Islamic State of Iran after he had been missing in custody in Iran for ten years. They demanded $1.5 million as compensation and $1.5 million in punitive damages for each family member, totaling $1.5 billion.
“Thirteen years ago, our beloved husband and father, Robert Levinson, was detained by Iranian authorities while visiting Kish Island, Iran, beginning a nightmare for him and for our family that continues to this day,” the Levinson family said in a statement obtained by the Washington Examiner. “On this anniversary, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia has found that the Iranian regime is responsible for what happened to him. … We will continue to do everything in our power to seek justice for our husband and father.”
“Mr. Levinson’s family, including grandchildren he has never met, has borne an unimaginable burden of uncertainty and hardship throughout this time,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an announcement on Monday. “Iran must honor the commitment it has made to work with the United States for Mr. Levinson’s return. International norms, respect for human rights, and basic human decency demand no less.”
“Returning all Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad is President Trump’s top priority. We will work until Bob Levinson, and all U.S. hostages and wrongful detainees come home,” Pompeo said.
Iran, on Nov.10, said an open Revolutionary Court case involving Levinson “was a missing person” filing, not a sign that the man was being prosecuted.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi’s comments came as a new Iranian acknowledgment of the case involving Robert Levinson renewed questions about his disappearance.
Speaking to journalists, Mousavi said Levinson “has no judicial or criminal case in any Islamic Republic of Iran court whatsoever.”
“It is normal that a case is opened like it’s done for any missing people anywhere in Iran,” Mousavi said.
However, Iran only acknowledged it’s Revolutionary Court had an open case on Levinson in a filing to the United Nations. The Associated Press obtained a copy of a U.N. report on the acknowledgment November 9.
For years, U.S. officials would only say that Levinson was working for a private firm on his trip. In December 2013, the A.P. revealed Levinson had been on a mission for CIA analysts who had no authority to run spy operations.
Since his disappearance, the only photos and video of Levinson emerged in 2010 and 2011. He appeared gaunt and bearded with long hair and was wearing an orange jumpsuit similar to those worn by detainees at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
