Captured US soldier begs for freedom
Source: Agencies |
April 9, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
The Taliban has released a video of a man identified as an American soldier captured in Afghanistan last June, showing him pleading for his freedom and to return home.
In the video, Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl says he wants to return to his family in Idaho and that the war in Afghanistan is not worth the number of lives that have been lost or wasted in prison. It is the first time he has been seen since the Taliban released a video of him at Christmas.
The seven-minute video of Bergdahl shows him sporting a beard and doing a few push-ups to demonstrate he's in good physical condition. There was no way to verify when the footage was taken or if he is still alive.
Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Garver, an Army spokesman, said he could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the video.
"Our thoughts, prayers, and support remain with the Bergdahl family during this difficult time," Garver said.
Bergdahl disappeared on June 30 while based in eastern Afghanistan and is the only known American serviceman in captivity. The Taliban claimed his capture in a video released in mid-July that showed the young soldier appearing downcast and frightened.
In the sometimes choppy video issued on Wednesday, Bergdahl talks about his love for his family, his friends, motorcycles and sailing.
"I'm a prisoner. I want to go home," he says in the video, which was made available by Washington-based Site Intelligence Group, which monitors militant Websites.
At the end of the video, a speaker, reportedly Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, demands the release of a limited number of prisoners in exchange for the American.
(AP)
In the video, Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl says he wants to return to his family in Idaho and that the war in Afghanistan is not worth the number of lives that have been lost or wasted in prison. It is the first time he has been seen since the Taliban released a video of him at Christmas.
The seven-minute video of Bergdahl shows him sporting a beard and doing a few push-ups to demonstrate he's in good physical condition. There was no way to verify when the footage was taken or if he is still alive.
Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Garver, an Army spokesman, said he could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the video.
"Our thoughts, prayers, and support remain with the Bergdahl family during this difficult time," Garver said.
Bergdahl disappeared on June 30 while based in eastern Afghanistan and is the only known American serviceman in captivity. The Taliban claimed his capture in a video released in mid-July that showed the young soldier appearing downcast and frightened.
In the sometimes choppy video issued on Wednesday, Bergdahl talks about his love for his family, his friends, motorcycles and sailing.
"I'm a prisoner. I want to go home," he says in the video, which was made available by Washington-based Site Intelligence Group, which monitors militant Websites.
At the end of the video, a speaker, reportedly Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, demands the release of a limited number of prisoners in exchange for the American.
(AP)
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
