U.S. designates Idaho soldier's captor as terrorist

The Obama administration has officially designated the man linked with the capture of a Northwest soldier as a terrorist. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho, is the only U.S. soldier in Taliban captivity.

Mullah Sangeen Zadran is believed to be a key commander of the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network. The State Department says Sangeen is responsible for numerous kidnappings and IED attacks in Afghanistan.

The Haqqanis have also taken credit for the capture of 25-year-old Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

Along with the U.S., the United Nations also listed Sangeen as a terrorist.

Chad Sweet is with the security consulting firm the Chertoff Group.

“The steps that are taken by the United Nations and the U.S. will make it far more difficult for the Haqqani Network to conduct the kind of operations that led to Bowe's abduction.”

Sangeen's designation as a terrorist bans him from international travel, freezes his assets, and forbids U.S. citizens from engaging in business with him.

Sangeen has indicated he intends to use Bergdahl as leverage in negotiating for the release of Taliban fighters.

On the Web:

• State Department designation
• United Nations designation

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