US watchdog finds Pentagon broke law in Bergdahl transfer

A file picture obtained on June 1, 2014 shows Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl, before his capture by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Defence Department violated US law by failing to alert Congress before releasing five Taleban members held at Guant
A file picture obtained on June 1, 2014 shows Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl, before his capture by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Defence Department violated US law by failing to alert Congress before releasing five Taleban members held at Guantanamo Bay military prison in exchange for Berghdal, a government watchdog agency said on Thursday. -- PHOTO: AFP

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The Defense Department violated US law by failing to alert Congress before releasing five Taleban members held at Guantanamo Bay military prison in exchange for a captured US soldier, a government watchdog agency said on Thursday.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the Pentagon broke the law by using money appropriated by Congress to carry out the transfer of Guantanamo prisoners without giving lawmakers the required 30-day notice.

"In addition, because DoD (the Department of Defense) used appropriated funds to carry out the transfer when no money was available for that purpose, DoD violated the Antideficiency Act" barring agencies from spending more than authorized, the GAO said in a letter posted on its website.

The GAO assessment had been requested by Republican lawmakers who were angered over the lack of notice they'd received about the US decision in May to transfer five Taliban prisoners to Qatar in exchange for the release of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl.

The Defense Department told the GAO that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel decided to authorize the exchange based on a section of the law that allows transfers of Guantanamo prisoners if actions are being taken to reduce the risk that they will re-engage in hostile activity.

The Pentagon told the GAO it did not believe the failure to give 30-days notice would make it unlawful to approve a prisoner transfer that was otherwise permitted under the law.

And similarly, payment for the transfer would be lawful. The GAO disagreed with the Pentagon's interpretation, saying it would essentially make the 30-day notification requirement"meaningless."

Bergdahl spent five years as a Taliban captive after walking away from his outpost. His release was greeted by an initial wave of euphoria, but the prisoner swap deal triggered a backlash among US lawmakers angry over the Democratic administration's failure to give 30 days notice as stated in the law.

Some of Bergdahl's former Army comrades also charged that he had deserted.

Bergdahl spent several days at a US military hospital in Germany before being returned to San Antonio, Texas, where he underwent further treatment.

He has since returned to active military duty and is hoping to return to civilian life, his attorney said this week.

Army Major General Kenneth Dahl is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Bergdahl's disappearance in Afghanistan and whether he broke any military regulations or laws.

Dahl interviewed Bergdahl earlier this month and is expected to report on the case soon.

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