Contractor Detained In Iraq 'Thrilled' And 'Excited' To Be Back On Long Island
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A security contractor from Long Island who was held in Iraq for 18 days said Friday he is happy to be home and hopes there is an investigation into his detention.
"It could potentially occur again," said Army veteran Alex Antiohos, of West Babylon. "There probably should be an investigation in Congress to ensure that government agencies are taking the necessary steps to prevent it."
Antiohos got home to West Babylon on Thursday after being detained in Iraq from Dec. 9 to 27. He spoke with 1010 WINS on Friday and described the circumstances surrounding the detention.
"We were essentially moving a convoy from one location to another, stopped at a checkpoint and asked to provide documentation with regard to what we were hauling. When we provided that documentation, we were told that there were inaccuracies. And as a result of that, we were detained," he said.
Antiohos, National Guardsman Jonas March of Savannah, Ga., and Kevin Fisher of Fiji were working for a security firm in Iraq when Ministry of Defense officials rejected their paperwork and began holding them.
"We were not charged with a crime and we did not know if and when we'd be released," Antiohos said.
Antiohos also appeared Friday at a news conference with Republican Rep. Peter King, who is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
King said he would demand answers from the Iraqis as well as U.S. authorities about how the incident was handled.
"We can't allow this to happen to any other Americans," King said.
"I'm thrilled. I'm excited to be home, I'm happy to be home and I can't wait to ring in the New Year and hopefully I can put this episode behind me and start fresh," Antiohos said.
What can the government do to prevent the detention of contractors in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments section...
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