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| From left to right, sergeant Bowe Bergdahl and mass killer, Mohammad Fazi |
An American soldier, sergeant Bowe Bergdahl captured in Afghanistan five years ago was on Saturday, freed in exchange for the freedom of five deadly terrorists hitherto jailed by the US Government.
Obama's decision to free the Taliban terrorists - including a friend of Osama Bin Laden, an opium drug lord and a warlord responsible for hundreds of deaths - in return for sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has already attracted fierce criticism from opponents.
But a gloating victory message issued by the fugitive Taliban leader today is sure to ramp up the pressure on the president.
Omar said: 'I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Afghan Muslim nation, all the mujahideen and to the families and relatives of the prisoners for this big victory.'
Bergdahl, who was held for almost five years by Islamic militants, was freed on Saturday after the US agreed to free the five most important Taliban prisoners in the Guantanamo Bay detention centre.
A shroud of mystery has hung over the soldier’s disappearance from a remote outpost amid speculation he might have deserted. Sgt Bergdahl had told his parents he was disillusioned with the campaign in Afghanistan and did not like his fellow soldiers. Bowe Bergdahl is said to have sent e-mails to his parents that suggest he had become disillusioned with America's mission in Afghanistan and was considering desertion.
The 28-year-old's friends say he enlisted in the army to help the Afghan people and provide philanthropic support to the war effort.
But the emergence of a series of e-mails suggest he had lost faith in the U.S. Army's mission shortly before he was captured five years ago, some claim after he willingly walked away from his base.In the messages, quoted by Rolling Stone magazine, he tells his parents: 'The future is too good to waste on lies.
'And life is way too short to care for the damnation of others as well as to spend it helping fools with their ideas that are wrong.'
Three days before he went missing, he tells them: 'These people need help, yet what they get is the most conceited country in the world telling them that they are nothing and that they are stupid.'
Bergdahl, who mailed home boxes containing his uniform and books, later added: 'I am ashamed to be an American. And the title of U.S. soldier is just the lie of fools.
'I am sorry for everything. The horror that is America is disgusting.'
In one reply, his father, Bob Bergdahl, writes: 'OBEY YOUR CONSCIENCE!'
The Associated Press could not independently authenticate the emails published by the magazine in 2012.
Bergdahl's release, brokered with the Taliban in exchange for five Guantanamo detainees, has ignited fury in some corners of the U.S. military community and re-opened old wounds, with some accusing him of desertion.
'Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him,' former Sergeant Matt Vierkant told CNN.
Bergdahl's family has not commented on the allegations of desertion, according to Colonel Tim Marsano, a spokesman for the Idaho National Guard.
A senior Defense Department official said previously said that if Bergdahl was released, it could be determined that he had more than paid for leaving his unit '.Eugene R. Fidell, who teaches military justice at Yale Law School, said if there is evidence that Bergdahl left his unit without permission, he could be charged with being absent without leave (AWOL) or desertion.
A senior Defense Department official said previously said that if Bergdahl was released, it could be determined that he had more than paid for leaving his unit '.Eugene R. Fidell, who teaches military justice at Yale Law School, said if there is evidence that Bergdahl left his unit without permission, he could be charged with being absent without leave (AWOL) or desertion.
Desertion during a time of war can carry the death penalty.
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Never forgotten: Obama says the the U.S. government never gave up in trying to secure the release of Bowe Bergdahl, who was held by the Taliban for nearly five years
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However, the freed terrorists were reported to have left Cuba for Qatar at 2pm on Saturday.The five men will be under strict supervision in Qatar. Their movements and interactions with others will be restricted and monitored. Under the conditions of their release, they will be banned from traveling outside of Qatar for at least one year.
Obama and the emir of Qatar spoke last week about the conditions of the release, which have been codified in a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, officials said.
Obama and the emir of Qatar spoke last week about the conditions of the release, which have been codified in a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, officials said.
The Taliban prisoners freed from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for sergeant Bowe Bergdahl include, Abdul Waq-Hasiq, Norullah Noori, Khirullah Khairkhwa, Mohammed Nabi and War criminal, Mohammad Fazi who is believed to have been at the command of a mass killing.
Four of the freed terrorists are pictured below while Mohammad Fazi is pictured beside sergeant Bowe Bergdahl at the top of the page.
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| Abdul Waq-Hasiq |
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| Norullah Noori |
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| Khirullah Khairkhwa |
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| Mohammed Nabi |
Culled from DAILY MAIL
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