Bergdahl Lawyer Accuses McCain of Interfering in Case

Associated PressPublished: October 14, 2015

HAILEY, ID - JUNE 01: A sign announcing the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl sits in the window of the Hailey Paint and Supply store on Main Street June 1, 2014 in Hailey, Idaho. Sgt. Bergdahl was captured in Afghanistan in 2009 while serving with U.S. Armys 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment in Paktika Province. Yesterday he was released after a swap for 5 prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay was arranged. Bergdahl was considered the only U.S. prisoner of war held in Afghanistan. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The lawyer for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who walked off his post in Afghanistan and was held by the Taliban for five years, has accused Republican Sen. John McCain of exerting "congressional influence" in his client's case.

Bergdahl was charged in March with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, but Lt. Col. Mark Visger recently recommended that there be no prison time or punitive discharge against the soldier. McCain, who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told the Boston Herald last weekend that he'll hold a hearing about the case if Bergdahl is not punished.

Bergdahl's lawyer Eugene Fidell says McCain is interfering in the case. A committee spokesman stressed Tuesday that McCain will decide how to continue the committee's oversight of the matter after the case is resolved.

Filed Under: Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl

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