Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was charged with
desertion and misbehavior before the enemy on Wednesday, released a statement through his attorney describing beatings and escape attempts during his five years in captivity.
CNN first reported on the letter, with reporter Barbara Starr telling CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" that Bergdahl said he was kept in constant isolation for the entire five years.
Bergdahl said he had "little to no understanding of time, [was] told I was going to be executed, told I would have my ears and nose cut off."
Bergdahl also said he was chained to a bed, spread-eagle and blindfolded, and had eight to 12 open wounds on each wrist under his hand shackles. Starr said he described graphically how he attempted to drain those wounds himself and how he was beaten with a copper cable.
Bergdahl made multiple escape attempts, he said, and once was free for nine days. But he didn't have food or water and eventually gave out. Taliban members were able to track him and recapture him.
Bergdahl says he was held in various conditions throughout his captivity and became very ill at one point.
Starr said the letter appears to be aimed at making a defense that Berdahl already has suffered greatly for his actions.
Part of the statement was written by Bergdahl's civilian lawyer, who indicated that his client's reason for leaving his base without his weapon will be made known if the case proceeds to court, CNN reported.
The lawyer said Bergdahl did not want to join the Taliban and that he did not cooperate with his captors. He also said rumors that Bergdahl had planned to walk to China are not true.