FBI Washington Field Office Statement on the 17th Anniversary of the Abduction of Robert A. Levinson
Tomorrow marks the 17th anniversary of the abduction of Robert A. “Bob” Levinson from Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007. Bob, who served his country as an FBI special agent for 22 years and a Drug Enforcement Administration agent for six years before that, retired in 1998. Bob is remembered every day by his FBI friends and colleagues.
Beginning this year, March 9 will also now commemorate National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day—a day for our entire nation to pause and remember Bob and all Americans unjustly held abroad.
“It has been 17 years since Bob disappeared in Iranian territory, but no matter how much time has passed, the FBI and our partners will pursue every lead to uncover what happened to Bob and return him to his family,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “I’m grateful that our nation continues to remember Bob, with March 9 commemorating National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day—a day for our entire nation to pause and remember Bob and all Americans unjustly held abroad.”
These photos show Robert A. Levinson, who was abducted from Kish Island, Iran, in 2007.
This weekend, Bob should be celebrating his 76th birthday with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Instead, we remember Bob as part of the FBI family and publicly renew our commitment to bring him home.
This time of year serves as yet another opportunity for the government of Iran to help return Bob home to his family and country. The FBI again renews its repeated calls to Iran to uphold its prior commitments to cooperate and to share information that could lead to Bob’s return.
The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $5 million for information leading directly to the location, recovery, and return of Bob Levinson. Information related to Bob’s disappearance or detention can be provided directly to the FBI at LevinsonFBIreward@fbi.gov. In addition to the FBI reward, the Department of State Rewards for Justice (RFJ) Program is offering a reward of up to $20 million dollars for information leading to the location, recovery, and return of Bob. More information about this reward is located on the RFJ website.
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