[JURIST] A private contractor for Zapata Engineering [corporate website] Peter Ginter - himself an ex-Marine with eight years service - has claimed he was abused by US military personnel while detained for three days. Gintner is the second to speak out among 19 US and Iraqi security contractors who were taken into custody by Marines on May 28 after allegedly firing from SUVs on Iraqi civilians and US troops [JURIST report]. Gintner claims he was knocked down, punched, threatened with a dog, and grabbed painfully in the testicles during his ordeal. A Marine spokesman denied any abuse and maintained that the contractors directed fire at Iraqis and US forces. Zapata president Manuel Zapata claims his employees fired only warning shots [press release] into the air when they noticed they were being followed by some vehicles. Gintner's lawyer said he is contemplating taking legal action. AP has more.