Accused Army Deserter Bergdahl to Appear Before Military Court

Bergdahl was held captive by the Taliban for five years before he was released as part of a controversial prisoner swap.

Shortly after leaving his post, he was captured by the Taliban, and, five years later, was returned to the United States, in exchange for five Guantanamo detainees, in a prisoner swap.

Now, he faces a full military court-martial, charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.

HIs case courted caused controversy with some in the military resenting the resources that were used in searching for him.

In a brief court hearing at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, the 29-year-old Bergdahl deferred entering a plea to the charges that could, if he is convicted, send him to prison for life.

“The accused wishes to defer for reflection”, said Lt. Col. Franklin Rosenblatt, Bergdahl’s lawyer, according to a Reuters report.

Bergdahl made no decision on that question, either.

Bergdahl is now stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, near the hospital where he has been treated since his release from captivity. Bergdahl, who has been speaking by phone with screenwriter Mark Boal, and is the subject of the second season of the podcast Serial, says he wanted to draw attention to leadership issues in his unit.

Earlier this month, head of the Army Forces Command Gen. Robert B. Abrams ordered that Bergdahl face a court-martial for desertion.

Army Colonel Jeffery Nance has been assigned as the judge in Bergdahl’s case. His next hearing is scheduled for January 12th.