Lawyers for U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl are seeking the release of a military report documenting how and why he left his post in Afghanistan and spent nearly five years imprisoned by the Taliban.
The report was put together by Major General Kenneth Dahl, who told a military hearing last week that he did not believe the soldier should face jail time for his actions.
Bergdahl's defense counsel argued in a filing September 21 that the documents are unclassified and have already been discussed openly in court, so they should be publicly released.
The lawyers added Bergdahl had been vilified in the media and among some politicians over the past year since he was freed in a controversial prisoner exchange with the Taliban.
The military's official report, which includes 371 pages of testimony from Bergdahl, would help the public better understand what happened, they said.
U.S. military prosecutors contend Bergdahl intentionally deserted his post and should be court-martialed.
