FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was arraigned here in his controversial military desertion case on Tuesday, deferring his decision on whether he allows a jury of soldiers or a judge to determine his fate next year in a court-martial.
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U.S. Army Forces Command Col. Daniel King said afterward that Bergdahl said he was satisfied with his defense team, which consists of military and civilian attorneys.
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Bergdahl disappeared from Combat Outpost Mest-Malak in Afghanistan’s Paktika province near the Pakistan border in June 2009 and was later captured by the Taliban.
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If found guilty of misbehavior before the enemy, Bergdahl could face life in prison.
Bergdahl appeared demure, sitting mostly still in his chair then walking deliberately with his head down as he left the courtroom. In May 2014, Bergdahl was released by the Taliban in exchange for prisoners being held by the U.S.at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.
Bergdahl said hello to one reporter, but for the most part, did not make eye contact with the press corps.
Military chiefs have not explained what actions Bergdahl is specifically accused of that warranted the grave charge of misbehavior before the enemy.
Major General Kenneth Dahl recommended the soldier’s case be moved to a special misdemeanour-level military court. In contrast, statistics show the U.S. Army prosecuted about 1,900 desertion cases between 2001 and the end of 2014.
In ordering the court-martial, Army General Robert Abrams did not follow the recommendation of a preliminary hearing officer who, according to Bergdahl’s lawyer, called for Bergdahl to face a proceeding that could impose a potential maximum penalty of a year in confinement.
Bergdahl’s arraignment will be held at the Fort Bragg army base in North Carolina. He did appear anxious and fidgety at times.
He said trying the case will “determine once and for all if Bowe Bergdahl is a hero or a deserter”.
Bergdahl claims he deserted his post because he wanted to draw attention to leadership issues in his unit.
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Bergdahl hasn’t talked publicly about what happened, but spoke extensively with screenwriter Mark Boal, who shared 25 hours of recorded interviews with Sarah Koenig for her podcast, “Serial”.
