Saturday, 10 December 2011Four years ago, American Bob Levinson disappeared mysteriously in Iran. Now, the family of the retired FBI agent has released a video it received in late 2010, showing him to be alive. The video was not released earlier, because federal officials thought it would complicate their investigation.
"Please help me get home." Bob Levinson pleads for help from a makeshift cell. The retired FBI agent asks the U.S. government to answer the demands of his unnamed captors.
"Thirty-three years of service to the United States deserves something," says Levinson.
The Levinson family received the video a year ago - the first proof that Levinson was still alive after disappearing in 2007 while working as a private investigator. The family has just released this on its website, along with a direct message from Levinson's wife and son.
"My mother has received your messages. Please tell us your demands so we can work together to bring my father home safely," says David Levinson.
"All I want is for our family to be whole again," says wife Christine Levinson.
The U.S. State Department said Friday that officials have been in touch with Iran where he was last seen.
"We're not in a position to confirm even where he is, what we have said, what the FBI has said, the Secretary [of State Hillary Clinton] said it in March, is that we've received indications that he is being held captive in Southwest Asia," said Victoria Nuland, U.S. State Department spokeswoman.
Two years ago, Christine Levinson met with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida about her missing husband. She earlier spoke with the Iranian ambassador and answered questions about Bob Levinson's dealings in Iran..
"They have always said that they don't have any information. I'm hoping that as a result of them asking questions again that they have information and that they will share that information," said Christine Levinson.
Iranian officials deny any knowledge of Levinson's whereabouts. Christine Levinson said her husband was looking into cigarette smuggling for a private client. But his time may be getting short.
"I am not in very good health. I am running very quickly out of diabetes medicine," says Bob Levinson on the video.
That was a year ago. Meantime, Levinson's seven children and two grandchildren celebrate family traditions without him.
And, his wife continues to pay his cellphone bills - in hopes that he will someday call. |
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Carolyn Presutti for VOA News in Washington
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