Iranian Government Hostage Taking

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Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to the location, recovery, and return of Robert A. “Bob” Levinson, as well as information leading to the identification, location, arrest, or conviction of any person responsible for his disappearance.

A retired FBI special agent, Levinson went missing during a business trip to Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007. Senior Iranian officials authorized Levinson’s abduction and detention and then launched a disinformation campaign to deflect blame from the Iranian regime. Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, two senior officials of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) acting in their official capacity as MOIS officers, were allegedly involved in the abduction, detention, and probable death of Mr. Levinson.

Baseri is a high-ranking MOIS officer involved in counterespionage activities in and outside of Iran. He has been involved in sensitive investigations related to Iranian national security issues and has worked with intelligence officials from other countries to harm U.S. interests.

Khazai is a high-ranking official of the MOIS who has led MOIS delegations to assess the security situation in other countries.

On December 14, 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Baseri and Khazai pursuant to E.O. 13553 for acting for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Iran’s MOIS in connection with the hostage taking.

In February 2012, the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and State sanctioned MOIS pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13553 for being responsible for or complicit in the commission of serious human rights abuses against the Iranian people, and also named the MOIS a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to E.O. 13224 for its support to Foreign Terrorist Organizations Hizballah, HAMAS and al Qa’ida.

Anyone with information on Mohammad Baseri, Ahmad Khazai, Iran’s MOIS, or any other individuals or entities involved in Mr. Levinson’s disappearance should contact Rewards for Justice via the Tor-based tips-reporting channel at: he5dybnt7sr6cm32xt77pazmtm65flqy6irivtflruqfc5ep7eiodiad.onion (Tor browser required).