MOSCOW, January 27 (Sputnik) — US military authorities have decided to charge Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl who was released by Taliban militants last year in exchange for five Guantanamo prisoners, with desertion, a former military intelligence officer told Fox News.
Retire Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer told Fox News’ "The O’Reilly Factor" Monday that he learned of the decision from two sources.
"The Army has come to its conclusion, and Bowe Bergdahl… will be charged with desertion," he said.
Army officials asked by Fox News refused to confirm that any decision on charges against Bergdahl had been made. According to spokesman Paul Boyce, there is "no change" and it is an "ongoing review at this time".
Meanwhile, Shaffer said Bergdahl’s attorney has been given a "charge sheet" outlining the section of the military justice code the sergeant allegedly breached.
He added that there is a "huge battle" inside the Obama administration on the decision over Bergdahl.
Shaffer said the Army "wants to do the right thing" while the White House "wants this go away", according to Fox News.
Sgt Bergdahl, 28, was held for five years and was released on May 31 2014 after being swapped for five prisoners in a US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Fellow soldiers say he knowingly wandered away from his unit while deployed in Afghanistan in June 2009.
