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UPDATE: Virginia Beach man freed from Afghan prison

Posted at 5:15 PM, Apr 04, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-05 11:54:23-04

UPDATE:   David Gordon has been freed in Afghanistan. Tamerlane Global Services says he is receiving medical attention and will be kept in a safe place until he can return to the U.S. Tamerlane's Ryan Kelly says diplomatic efforts by U.S. military advisors and the efforts of U.S. Congressmen and Senators were instrumental in securing his freedom.

Virginia Beach, Va. - A Virginia Beach contractor, David Gordon, is spending his second night in a Kubal, Afghanistan prison, prompting Congressman Scott Rigell to take action and get him released.

To be released, the Afghan officials detaining him are asking for $2.4 million.

Gordon is a contractor for Tamerlane Global Services, and helped install satellite equipment on fuel trucks in Afghanistan to track and stop fuel theft.

He had only been in the country for a little over a week when Afghan police stopped the vehicle he was arrested him.

Three congressmen, including Rigell, wrote a letter today to the state department to help speed up Gordon's release.

Gordon is being detained because of an ongoing commercial contract dispute with a local Afghan tribe.

In the letter, Rigell says Gordon has been badly beaten and injured and has had no medical care since.

Gordon's boss and brother-in-law Jim O'Brien says he's contacted the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan but nothing has been done to help Gordon.

Because of the lack of protection and threats Gordon is receiving, O'Brien says something needs to be done immediately.