The court-martial for Bowe Bergdahl, the US Army sergeant held captive in Afghanistan has been delayed. (AFP Photo)
The court-martial for Bowe Bergdahl, the US Army sergeant held captive in Afghanistan for five years before being freed in a prisoner swap, has been delayed until next year, officials said.
The February 6, 2017 start date to Bergdahl's trial was set during a brief hearing Tuesday at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, the Army said in a statement.
The trial was initially due to start in August, but a military judge delayed proceedings to allow legal teams more time to prepare.
In its statement, the Army noted the date could be subject to further change.
Bergdahl, 30, disappeared from Combat Outpost Mest-Malak in Paktika Province, Afghanistan on June 20, 2009.
After departing, the soldier was quickly captured by militants from the feared Haqqani faction, a Taliban-lined outfit blamed for many deadly attacks on US soldiers.
Bergdahl's disappearance triggered a massive search operation.
He was eventually released to US special forces in 2014 in a swap for five Afghan Guantanamo Bay detainees.
If convicted on a charge of desertion, Bergdahl could serve up to five years in prison, receive a dishonorable discharge, lose his rank and forfeit all pay.
But he also faces a second more serious charge, "misbehavior before the enemy," that could carry a life sentence.
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