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Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl moved from hospital to out-patient care centre

The former Taliban hostage is still undergoing a 'reintegration process'

Antonia Molloy
Monday 23 June 2014 04:55 EDT
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Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, sits in a vehicle guarded by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan. Bergdahl was freed by the Taliban on 31 May, 2014, in exchange for five Afghan detainees held in the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, sits in a vehicle guarded by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan. Bergdahl was freed by the Taliban on 31 May, 2014, in exchange for five Afghan detainees held in the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (AP)

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Former Taliban hostage Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has been discharged from hospital and moved to a care centre at a Texas military base.

The 28-year-old, who was released on 31 May, had been receiving in-patient treatment at Brooke Army Medical Centre at Fort Sam Houston, but is now receiving out-patient care on the base in San Antonio, the US Army said.

The Army said his “reintegration process” was continuing though his exposure to more people and a gradual increase in social interactions.

Bergdahl, from Idaho, was a prisoner of war for five years after being captured by the Taliban in June 2009. He was freed in a deal struck by the Obama administration in which five senior Taliban figures were released from detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The soldier arrived at the Texas medical centre on 13 June after nearly two weeks recuperating at a US military hospital in Germany. Army officials said then that he was in a stable condition and working daily with health care providers to regain a sense of normalcy and move forward with his life.

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl pictured in a Taliban video in 2010
Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl pictured in a Taliban video in 2010 (AFP)

The latest Army statement said Sgt Bergdahl was receiving counselling from “Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape” psychologists to “continue to ensure he progresses to the point where he can return to duty”.

The Army said Sgt Bergdahl's specific location would not be made public.

Sgt Bergdahl disappeared from his post in Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009. Some former members of his unit have said that he left of his own accord.

He has not commented publicly on the circumstances of his disappearance, and the Army has made no charges against him, but is investigating Sgt Bergdahl's disappearance and capture.

The Army says investigators will not interview Sgt Bergdahl until those helping him recover say it is appropriate.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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