Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “Iran has made it a practice to take American citizens and legal permanent residents as hostages in an effort to exact political and financial concessions. Since the Obama administration paid Iran a $1.7 billion settlement, the Iranian regime has arrested and tried under trumped up charges Siamak and Baquer Namazi, Nizar Zakka, and others. This tactic has caused a great amount of fear and pain for the families and loved ones of these Americans and U.S. legal permanent residents. This hearing is an opportunity for our subcommittee to hear from some of the families themselves the circumstances surrounding their loved ones’ cases. It is also an opportunity to hear from the family of Robert Levinson – the longest held civilian hostage in America’s history – who went missing in Iran in 2007 and has yet to be reunited with his family, despite repeated pledges by the regime to assist in his case.”

Witnesses

Mr. Douglas Levinson
(Son of Robert Levinson)
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Babak Namazi
(Son of Baquer Namazi, brother of Siamak Namazi)
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Omar Zakka
(Son of Nizar Zakka)
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

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Hearing transcript (PDF)