Kidnapped Army linguist prepares for return to San Diego after stopover in San Antonio

Abducted Army linguist to return to San Diego

SAN DIEGO — A San Diego area family is preparing for the return of an Army civilian employee who was held captive for more than two months in Iraq.

Muna Salomi said Friday that her husband, Issa Salomi, is expected to arrive home sometime over the weekend. She says she is “very, very happy” about the prospect.

Maj. Kim Holman, a California National Guard spokeswoman, says Issa Salomi is expected before Easter. He has been in San Antonio since Tuesday for medical tests and debriefings with Army officials at Fort Sam Houston.

Issa Salomi was kidnapped in January while working as a linguist for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. A Shiite extremist group claimed responsibility. It released him last week, saying he was let go after the Iraqi government released four of the group’s members.