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June 9, 2014

Bergdahl Tortured, Kept in Cage During Taliban Captivity 
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New details have emerged of freed U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl's time in
Taliban captivity. Bergdahl has told military doctors he was beaten,
tortured, and locked in a metal cage for weeks and possibly months at a
time as punishment for trying to escape. He is reportedly now in good
enough physical condition to fly home to the United States, but will
remain at an American military hospital in Germany until mentally ready.
The Obama administration faces continued Republican criticism for
winning Bergdahl's freedom in return for five Taliban prisoners held at
Guantanamo Bay. Speaking to CNN, Republican Senator John Mc Cain claimed
Obama has released "hardcore military jihadists who are responsible for
9/11." Speaking to CNN, Secretary of State John Kerry defended the
prisoner exchange.

Secretary of State John Kerry: "It would have been offensive and
incomprehensible to consciously leave an American behind, no matter
what, to leave an American behind in the hands of people who would
torture him, cut off his head, do any number of things. And we would
consciously choose to do that? That's the other side of this equation. I
don't think anybody would think that is the appropriate thing to do."

 

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