European Oil Workers Released After Hours Captivity in Congo

01-14-2008

An oil engineer from Scotland and 17 other unidentified Europeans held as prisoners at the airport in Congo, has been released after a day in captivity.

Bill O'Neill, 62, was locked up with 17 other Europeans at Brassaville in Congo Republic.

They had flown there after an invite to work on an oil installation for the government but was thrown in a holding cell by immigration officials who claimed their paperwork was incorrect.

O'Neill said: "They held us in a windowless room and locked the door.

"Thanks to the Foreign Office and the French consul we were all released after 17 hours of pacing up and down. It is a disgrace."