Former Taliban captive pleads guilty to desertion

Army Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, a Taliban captive for five years after abandoning his post in Afghanistan, pleaded guilty yesterday to misbehaviour before the enemy and desertion, charges that could put him in prison for life.

“I understand that leaving was against the law,” said Bergdahl, whose decision to walk off his remote post in 2009 prompted intense search and recovery missions, during which some soldiers were seriously wounded.

Bergdahl, 31, is accused of endangering comrades by abandoning his post without authorisation.