Soldier Held by Taliban Faces Court-Martial

Sgt. B. Bergdahl was released in exchange for five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay. Now, his attorney says that his case was referred for trial by a general court-martial. According to Attorney E. Fidell, the convening authority decided not to follow the advice of the preliminary hearing officer, who recommended that his client’s case be moved to a special misdemeanor-level court. In a statement on Monday, Fidell said he hoped the case would not take this direction. Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, was captured and held by the Taliban for nearly five years after he walked off his post in Afghanistan on June 30, 2009. Back in March, Bergdahl was charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. On Monday (Dec. 14) the U.S. Army Forces Command said that the commanding general referred the following charges: desertion and misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit, or place. According to a news release issued by the Army, Bergdahl’s arraignment hearing will be held at Fort Bragg, North Carolina – one of the largest U.S. Army installations. However, the release did not announce the date of his arraignment. While Bergdahl has yet to speak publicly about his reasons for walking off base in Afghanistan or about being a prisoner for five years, his conversations with Mark Boal, a screenwriter, are playing on the new season of the podcast Serial, which began airing earlier this month. In the first episode of Serial, he said that his leaving the base had to do with warning others about serious problems within the unit’s leadership, NBC News reported.

ARE YOU BEING ACCUSED OF A MILITARY CRIME?

If you are accused of desertion or misbehavior before the enemy or with another military crime, you are urged to contact Crisp & Associates, LLC for a strong defense. Our team has over 40 years of experience helping people in situations like yours. By offering nationwide and worldwide representation to people who serve the United States like you, no matter where you’re located, we can help. Call our office today to get started!