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Taliban Video Shows Captive U.S. Soldier Taliban Video of Captured Soldier follows threat to kill him |
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The U.S. soldier in a Taliban video releases Saturday, July 18, 2009 has been identified as Bowe R. Bergdahl. The Taliban captured Bergdahl, a 23-year-old Private First Class, on June 30, 2009. At the time the Taliban video was released, the soldier’s identity had not been made public. Though a two-minute clip of the video has circulated the Internet, the length of the entire video is an estimated 28 minutes. During the full-length video, Bowe Bergdahl’s captors hold up his id or dog tags to the camera and reveal his hometown.
The Pentagon, who has said very little regarding the missing soldier since his capture, had sated that Bergdahl had wandered away from base. In a phone call to the Associated Press that took place Thursday, July 16, 2009, from a spokesman for the Taliban, the spokesperson stated that they captured Bergdahl, as he was drunk. In the video, Bergdahl states that he was captured as he lagged behind on patrol. The Pentagon had listed Bowe Bergdahl’s status as “unknown” on July 1, 2009 and later changed his status to “missing-captured” on July 3, 2009. Bergdahl is a member of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, and 25th Infantry Division. His company is based at Fort Richardson, Alaska.
The video is a violation of International Law. In a statement by U.S. command spokesperson, Lt. Commander Christine Sidenstricker, the nature or intent of the video is addressed. “"I'm glad to see he appears unharmed, but again, this is a Taliban propaganda video. They are exploiting the soldier in violation of international law."
A statement by Bowe Bergdahl’s father, Bob Bergdahl was made during an interview with the Associated Press.
"We hope and pray for our son's safe return to his comrades and then to our family, and we appreciate all the support and expressions of sympathy shown to us by our family members, our friends and others across the nation," Bob Bergdahl said in a statement issued through the Department of Defense. "Thank you, and please continue to keep Bowe in your thoughts and prayers."
Bowe Bergdahl captured by the Taliban Video
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