FBI investigates threats against Bergdahl family

6/7/2014

FILE - This image from video made available by IntelCenter shows a Taliban propaganda video released Friday, Dec. 25, 2009 purportedly showing U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl who was captured over five months earlier in eastern Afghanistan. The man identifies himself as Bergdahl, born in Sun Valley, Idaho, and gives his rank, birth date, blood type, his unit and mother's maiden name before beginning a lengthy verbal attack on the U.S. conduct of the war in Afghanistan and its relations with Muslims. (AP Photo/IntelCenter)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Threats against the family of former Taliban prisoner Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl are being investigated by federal, state and local authorities.

William Facer, a spokesman for the FBI’s Salt Lake City division, said today in a statement: “The FBI continues to monitor the situation in Hailey, Idaho. We are working jointly with our state and local partners and taking each threat seriously.”

The soldier’s parents, Bob and Jani Bergdahl, live in Hailey, Idaho.

Facer did not detail the nature of the threat.

On Wednesday, Bergdahl’s hometown abruptly canceled plans Wednesday for a welcome-home celebration, citing security concerns over the prospect of big crowds -- both for and against the soldier.

The town of 8,000 has been swamped with hate mail and angry calls over Bergdahl, whose release after five years of Taliban captivity in Afghanistan has touched off a debate over whether the 28-year-old should be given a hero’s welcome or punished as a deserter.