Judge Spared US Army's Bergdahl Prison For Deserting in Afghanistan - Reports

US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, a former hostage who pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior while serving in Afghanistan, avoids prison.

Presiding Judge Col. Jeffery Nance spared US Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, 31, of serving prison time for endangering fellow troops when he deserted his post in Afghanistan in 2009, but stripped Bergdahl of his rank and dishonorably discharged him from the Army, media reported on Friday.

US President Donald Trump calls the court decision to be a "disgrace".

The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 3 ноября 2017 г.

Bergdahl walked off his combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, in June 2009 without permission, prompting the high-risk military missions to find him, as Major Justin Oshana said during closing arguments at North Carolina’s Fort Bragg, Reuters reported. Then, Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban and spent five years in brutal captivity, held by the insurgent group.

Sergeant pleaded guilty on October, 16 to charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy and had faced a maximum life sentence. A military judge began deliberating U.S. Army deserter’s sentence on Thursday after prosecutors said the soldier should spend 14 years behind bars and the defense urged no prison time.

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's sentencing hearing starts today.
Here's everything you need to know about the so-called traitor. pic.twitter.com/1QhKNK3E2T

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) 25 октября 2017 г.

Moreover, Bergdahl will also lose all benefits, including medical care, afforded to military veterans. He’ll also pay a fine of $1,000 a month for the next 10 months.

This decision puts an end on an eight-year-long hearings' process.