Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
The FBI Washington Field Office today released seeking information posters featuring two senior Iranian intelligence officers who were involved in the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. “Bob” Levinson from Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007. The release of the posters is part of the FBI’s ongoing investigation into Bob’s abduction and our commitment to resolving the case for his long-suffering family.
The two intelligence officers—Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai—allegedly acted in their capacity as officials of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) during Bob’s abduction, detention, and probable death.
“The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to return Bob to his family,” said Sanjay Virmani, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division. “Our extensive investigation continues to develop new leads and intelligence, and we will pursue all options to hold every Iranian official involved in his abduction accountable.”
For nearly 18 years, the Iranian government has denied knowledge of Bob’s whereabouts despite senior intelligence officials authorizing Bob’s abduction and detention and launching a disinformation campaign to deflect blame from the Iranian regime.
Both Baseri and Khazai are high-ranking MOIS officers. In December 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Baseri and Khazai for their role in Bob’s abduction.
According to the designation, Baseri has been involved in counterespionage activities inside and outside Iran, as well as sensitive investigations related to Iranian national security issues. He has worked directly with intelligence officials from other countries to harm U.S. interests.
Khazai has led MOIS delegations to other countries to assess security situations.
The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to Bob’s location, recovery, and return. If you have information about Bob or if you have information about Baseri, Khazai, or others who may have played a role in Bob’s abduction, please email levinsonfbireward@fbi.gov. You can also contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or submit a tip via tips.fbi.gov.
Additionally, the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information that leads to Bob’s location, recovery, and return. You can visit RFJ’s website for more information about this reward.