Navy soldier jailed by Japan released after nearly 18 months
January 12, 2024 | Mary Lou Masters
A Navy soldier who was imprisoned by Japan after being involved in a fatal car accident has been released after nearly 18 months.
While serving at the Japanese naval base in 2021, Lt. Ridge Alkonis fell asleep at the wheel of a vehicle that hit three pedestrians, two of whom died. After receiving what some viewed to be a harsh punishment by Japanese officials, Alkonis was released from the U.S. patrol commission Friday morning, reuniting with his wife and three children in California, according to CNN’s Jake Tapper.
“This morning, after 537 days of unnecessary detention, the U.S. Parole Commission ordered Lt. Ridge Alkonis’ immediate release,” the Alkonis family said in a statement, according to Tapper. “He is now back home with his family, where he belongs. We will have more to say in time, but for now, we are focused on welcoming Ridge home and respectfully ask for privacy.”
Alkonis was transferred from Japan’s custody to the U.S. in mid-December, and had been serving in federal prison in Los Angeles, California, according to CNN. The soldier was granted full parole by the U.S. on Friday morning, with no supervision upon his release.
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