Military prosecutors have utilized a section in the military law that has not been used since World War II against Bowe Bergdahl, the army sergeant who was accused of leaving his post in Afghanistan in 2009.
The prosecutors also charged Bergdahl with misbehavior before the enemy, which is a rarer offense that brings a harsher penalty. He can be sentenced to life if he is proven guilty of endangering fellow soldiers for leaving them without authority, as well as "wrongfully causing search and recovery operations," according to the Associated Press.
Bergdahl was apprehended by members of the Taliban on June 2009 and was detained for five years until he was released after the U.S. government agreed to trade five Taliban members from Guantanamo Bay.
The deal, however, was criticized by the soldiers whom Bergdahl deserted. They say Bergdahl's decision to leave them placed their lives at risk when they tried to search for him, according to the International Business Times.
Despite the criticism, the government stood by its decision in securing Bergdahl's release, even after the charges against him were made public.
Bergdahl is set to make his initial court appearance, known as an Article 32 hearing, which was scheduled by the military, on Sept. 17 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, according to Fox News.
