Congressmen: Contractor detained in Afghanistan

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) -- Three congressmen say a Virginia contractor has been illegally detained and beaten in Afghanistan.

U.S. Reps. Scott Rigell and Frank Wolf of Virginia and Duncan Hunter of California sent a letter Thursday asking Secretary of State John Kerry to intervene.

According to the congressmen, David Gordon of Virginia Beach was detained Wednesday without any charges against him. They say he was injured in a beating Wednesday but was not taken to an infirmary until Thursday. The officials say Gordon's detention stems from a contract dispute, and Afghan authorities are asking for $2.4 million for his release.

Gordon works for Tamerlane Global Services Inc., a northern Virginia company.

Asked about the case, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that a U.S. citizen had been arrested in Kabul and that the consulate was providing assistance. She said she could not provide any other details, citing privacy concerns.