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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army confirms that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will be facing charges including desertion at a general court-martial. This, even though a hearing officer recommended that the case be handled at a misdemeanor-level forum.
Bergdahl walked off his post in Afghanistan in June of 2009. He was held by the Taliban for five years, before he was freed in exchange for five detainees in Guantanamo Bay.
A date for an arraignment hearing at Fort Bragg in North Carolina will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Bergdahl's lawyer is complaining about political figures who have made derogatory statements about Bergdahl. He had previously complained about Donald Trump calling Bergdahl a traitor. And he's now calling on Trump to end what he calls a "prejudicial months-long campaign of defamation" against his client.
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158-c-19-(Sagar Meghani (SAH'-gur meh-GAH'-nee), AP national security correspondent)-"misdemeanor-level military court"-AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl's case will go to a court-martial. (14 Dec 2015)
<<CUT *158 (12/14/15)££ 00:19 "misdemeanor-level military court"
157-v-31-(Sagar Meghani (SAH'-gur meh-GAH'-nee), AP national security correspondent)--Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl will be court-martialed for walking off his post in Afghanistan. AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports from the Pentagon. (14 Dec 2015)
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APPHOTO WX103: FILE - This undated file image provided by the U.S. Army shows Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. The attorney for Bergdahl, who was released in exchange for five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay, says the soldier's case has been referred for trial by a general court-martial. (AP Photo/U.S. Army, File) (10 Dec 2015)
<<APPHOTO WX103 (12/10/15)££
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