The Army deserter Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been on trial recently for his alleged desertion after walking off base while stationed in Afghanistan in 2009. He was quickly captured by the Taliban, who held him prisoner from 2009 to 2014. After years of captivity and torture, despite knowing that Bergdahl was a deserter, Obama made a foolish deal with the Taliban to secure his release.
It’s been several years since his return to the US, and during that time, he’s faced a deluge of criticism from veterans, especially those who risked their lives searching for him after his sudden disappearance. He’s also been dealing with the legal fallout of his decision, which is finally reaching a conclusion.
As reported at New York Post, on Monday, Bergdahl on unexpectedly took the stand at his sentencing hearing to apologize to service members who got wounded searching for him.
In a surprising move, the defense called on Bergdahl as the first witness to provide evidence of his innocence. The court had no idea he would be called to the stand in the case, but the questions and answers from his testimony were the most extensive he’s ever given concerning the issue.
Before questioning began, however, started off by apologizing to the soldiers put their lives on the line while searching for him.
“My words can’t take away what the people have been through,” he said while fighting back tears. While being questioned by his own defense team, he gave a very detailed account of the brutal conditions and torture he faced for the five years the Taliban held him.
The only caveat to his appearance on the stand is that he gave an unsworn statement, which means that the judge can consider what he said when sentencing comes, in exchange for not getting cross-examined by prosecutors.
His sentence will be revealed in the weeks ahead, but he faces life in prison for his guilty plea on October 16 to desertion and endangering troops.
No matter what he intended or why, the fact remains he deserted his post, which is the worst thing a soldier can do.
It’s hard to say what he does or doesn’t deserve, considering the suffering he’s already been through due to his decision, but he must still be punished to some extent according to our laws.
Source: New York Post