Cairo, Dec 25 (DPA) The Taliban Friday released a video purporting to show US soldier Bowe Bergdahl, who was captured in Afghanistan nearly six months ago.
The US military has not yet publicly verified the video, but the US-based monitoring group IntelCenter said that “initial analysis indicates the hostage appearing in the video is Bowe Bergdahl”.

In the video, produced in December 2009, Bergdahl identifies himself, gives background about himself and his deployment, and is shown eating, wearing Afghan clothes, IntelCenter said.

In stills provided by the monitoring service, the soldier appears healthy.

The tape concludes with an audio message from Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has demanded and still demands release of a limited number of prisoners in exchange for this American prisoner, Bowe Robert Bergdahl,” Mujahid was quoted as saying by IntelCenter.

“Unfortunately, the arrogant American rulers are not ready to take any step in this regard,” he says. “In the long run, the Americans and their allies will have to accept the exchange.”

This is the second video of Bergdahl released since his capture in June 2009. The first was released in July.