Bergdahl Family Receive Death Threats

Bob Bergdahl, father of released soldier Bowe Bergdahl, has received a series of death threats via email.

The first threat was received on Wednesday, the day a celebration rally in Hailey, Idaho, was canceled. The government is now reported to be providing security to the family.

The FBI acknowledged Saturday that it was investigating threats made against the family of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was released from Taliban captivity in Afghanistan as part of a controversial prisoner exchange a week ago.

“The FBI continues to monitor the situation in Hailey, Idaho” spokesman Bill Facer said in a statement. “We are working jointly with our state and local partners and taking each threat seriously.”  (source)

Sky News U.S reports:

A freed US hostage has reportedly told doctors he was tortured, beaten and held in a cage after trying to escape his Taliban captors.

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was released last weekend following five years of captivity in Afghanistan after the US agreed a controversial prisoner swap.

Now an unnamed senior US official who has been briefed on Sgt Bergdahl’s progress at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany has said the 28-year-old apparently told staff he was put in a cage in total darkness for weeks as punishment for a foiled escape attempt.

A spokesman for the Taliban refuted the claims:

 Zaibullah Mujahid said Sgt Bergdahl was held in “good conditions”, adding that he enjoyed reading and playing football, and that he was given fresh fruit and any other foods he requested.

Opinion is split as to whether Bergdahl should be welcomed as a home as a hero, or punished for desertion.