Kathmandu— A federal appeals court has ruled that a civilian judge had no authority to overturn the military conviction of former US Army soldier Bowe Bergdahl. The three-judge panel from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the dismissal of Bergdahl’s claims in district court, effectively reinstating his conviction for desertion and misbehaviour before the enemy during his time in Afghanistan.

Jurisdictional Ruling

The appeals panel concluded that District Judge Reggie Walton lacked the jurisdiction to vacate Bergdahl’s court-martial conviction. Circuit Judge Robert Wilkins wrote, 'the authority to vacate a court-martial judgment belongs to tribunals exercising direct appellate review, not district courts conducting collateral review.' This ruling underscores the exclusive authority of military justice systems over their own convictions.

Bergdahl's Case Background

In June 2009, Bergdahl left his post in eastern Afghanistan without permission and was subsequently captured by Taliban-affiliated forces. He remained a prisoner for nearly five years before being released as part of a controversial prisoner swap under President Barack Obama’s administration. The deal freed five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

Political Controversy

Bergdahl's case has been politically contentious, with some conservatives criticizing the military justice process and the terms of his release. During his 2015 campaign for president, Donald Trump called for the death penalty for Bergdahl and criticized the decision to spare him jail time as a 'disgrace' to the country.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.