A US judge has ordered Iran to pay damages of $1.46 billion to the family of a private investigator who became America’s longest-held civilian hostage before his death in custody.
Bob Levinson was snatched on Iran’s Kish Island in March 2007 during an investigation into the skimming of Iranian oil profits.
The former FBI agent was tortured at a secret location by his unknown kidnappers before his family learned this year that he had died.
The family said the ruling by a court in Washington DC was the “first step in the pursuit of justice” for Mr Levinson.
But the relatives of Mr Levinson, who was married with seven children and would have turned 72 this year, are likely to receive only a fraction of the $1.46bn US judge Timothy Kelly ordered.
Iran declined to take part in the civil action and the damages are set to come from a special fund established by the US government for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. The fund is financed by fines from companies who are penalised for breaking sanction rules.
The compensation ordered by US district judge Timothy Kelly amounts to more than the entire pot for nearly 8,000 successful claimants in the most recent round.
The US victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund has accepted more than 13,000 claims since 2017 and has paid out more than $3bn.
But individual claims are capped at $20 million and figures released for the most recent round suggest that victims receive less than six per cent of the amount claimed.
“We intend to find any and every avenue, and pursue all options, to seek justice for Robert Levinson," said the family in a statement.
Up until 2019, US courts have made awards of about $90bn for state-sponsored terrorism against countries including Iran, Sudan, North Korea and Syria, according to a congressional report. These include awards to the families of 241 US soldiers killed in the 1983 bombing of a military barracks in Beirut.
Judge Kelly said in his ruling that the $150m awarded each to Mr Levinson’s estate, his wife and children were not designed as compensation but “to award the victim an amount of money that will punish outrageous behaviour and deter such outrageous conduct in the future”.
He said that the kidnapping, torture and detention of Mr Levinson was “barbaric” and had caused the family immeasurable suffering. The judge added that the kidnap and torture of US citizens through the state or by paying militant groups was “part of a longstanding pattern and policy, making the need for deterrence clear”.
Mr Levinson’s family revealed in March that they had received information that made it clear he was dead. He was last known to be alive in 2011 because of photographs emailed by his captors showing him bound by chains and wearing an orange jumpsuit.
The photos and a video were accompanied by demands to the US suggesting Mr Levinson was being held by an unidentified terrorist group, but Judge Kelly ruled that Iran was responsible. The Iranians have refused to admit culpability for Mr Levinson’s captivity.
The court had heard in December that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was probably behind his imprisonment because of his investigation into state corruption.
He had travelled to Kish Island to question a contact over claims that Iranian officials were taking a cut from oil sales and hiding the money in overseas investment.
In a statement, Mr Levinson’s family said that he had been subjected to “unimaginable suffering” for more than 13 years.
“He was the greatest man we have ever known, and he should be alive today - home with his wife, children and grandchildren. Instead, he died in Iranian custody and our family will never be whole again.
“Until now, Iran has faced no consequences for its actions. Judge Kelly’s decision won’t bring Bob home, but we hope that it will serve as a warning against further hostage-taking by Iran.”
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
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1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
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About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
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Monday's results
- UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
- Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
- Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
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