WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held captive in Afghanistan for five years, will be charged with desertion, senior defense officials said Tuesday.
The officials said charges could be submitted within a week, and would be based on claims Bergdahl abandoned his post in 2009 to avoid hazardous duty or important work, NBC News reported. The charges go beyond the lesser offense of absent without official leave, in that he allegedly put his fellow soldiers at risk by leaving, an official said.