Bergdahl , 28 , was captured by the military in Afghanistan in 2003 and released as part of a controversial prisoner swap last May . On release , the Army charged him with desertion and misbehavior in the face of the Taliban and he could get life behind bars if convicted . He then released a statement describing his years in captivity - the first time he has spoken out about his imprisonment . He recalled how he managed to escape on multiple occasions but was always caught and brutally beaten by a rifle and hose . He said he was kept in almost complete darkness , given little to eat and tied to objects - leading to pain and causing his muscles to waste away .
Bergdahl , 28 , was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2009 and released as part of a controversial prisoner swap last May . On Wednesday , the Army charged him with desertion and misbehavior in the face of the enemy and he could get life behind bars if convicted . He then released a statement describing his years in captivity - the first time he has spoken out about his imprisonment . He recalled how he managed to escape on multiple occasions but was always caught and brutally beaten by a rifle and hose . He said he was kept in almost complete darkness , given little to eat and tied to objects - leading to pain and causing his muscles to waste away .