The controversy surrounding the prisoner swap that resulted in the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl after he went missing in 2009 continues, with the revelation that a Pentagon investigation concluded, in 2010, that the former POW left his unit and was not kidnapped as previously believed.
Accounts of what exactly happen when Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl disappeared while stationed with the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, are coming out, a couple of days after news of his release became public knowledge.
On Tuesday, information that the Pentagon knew as far back as 2010 that Bergdahl walked away from his unit, when he disappeared almost five-years-ago, in June of 2009 were revealed.
Contrary to how many are categorizing Bergdahl’s time in captivity, he was not a POW, but a hostage taken by the Taliban-backed Haqqani terrorist group in Afghanistan, according to former Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Oliver “Ollie” North.
After several missions to look for Bergdahl — immediately following his disappearance — which according to other members of his unit, led to the death of at least six other American troops, who directly or indirectly were involved in incidents tied to the Sergeant’s disappearance, the US government allegedly began negotiations with the group for Bergdahl’s release.
The Obama administration is facing criticism over the manner in which Bowe Bergdahl was swapped for the so-called “Taliban dream team” made up of five of the most dangerous terrorists held at the Guantanamo base prison camp. Critics say that the apparent negotiation with terrorist that took place to secure Bergdahl’s release, endangers every single American in the world, as they can be snatched as bargaining chips for ransom.
Some of the most recent reports suggest that the US government assured the Qatar government — which took in the five released war criminals — that America will not keep track of the Taliban members, Fox News reported on Tuesday.
Many of the troops that served with Bowe Bergdahl are asking that he be tried in a court martial and accuse him of being a deserter.
In several press interviews, members of his unit described him as a naive, “delusional” person who believed he could help the Afghan people by leaving his army post.
Nathan Bradley Bethea, an officer in Bowe Bergdahl’s unit, said in an interview with the Daily Beast that Bergdahl was not on guard duty when he disappeared, as some media reports have suggested.
“There was no patrol that night. Bergdahl was relieved from guard duty, and instead of going to sleep, he fled the outpost on foot. He deserted. I’ve talked to members of Bergdahl’s platoon_including the last Americans to see him before his capture. I’ve reviewed the relevant documents. That’s what happened.”
Talking to the Daily Mail , an unidentified former soldier, who served with Bowe Bergdahl , broke the nondisclosure agreement the troops signed — promising not to talk about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance — revealed that the former captive left a note in which he stated he did not want to fight for America any longer and was leaving to start a new life.
The controversy about the circumstances under which Sgt. Bergdahl was taking prisoner and his recent release continue as more information on the case becomes public.
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