Captors release photo of P.O.W Bowe Bergdahl smiling alongside Taliban commander as they claim he wasn't tortured during five-year detention but 'treated with kindness'

Photo of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, smiling and posing with a former senior Taliban official in Afghanistan was posted on Twitter on Wednesday



He is seen posing with Taliban Commander Badruddin Haqqani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in August 2012

Bergdahl was released by the Taliban and swapped for five Guantanamo Bay detainees on May 31 and continues to undergo treatment in Texas

As part of his 'reintegration' he is allowed to venture outside to libraries, stores and restaurants while under supervision



A photo of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, smiling and posing with a former senior Taliban official in Afghanistan has been posted on Twitter.



The undated photo, likely taken during Bergdahl’s five years in captivity, was posted on the social media site on Wednesday by @khorasan3, an account associated with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.



Along with the image were the words ‘#US Solider #Bergdahl with Martyr #Taliban Leader Badar'udin Haqqani(RH) S/O Shaykh Jalaludin Haqqani(HA).’

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This photo of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, smiling and posing with Taliban Commander Badruddin Haqqani, a senior member of the Haqqani network in Afghanistan, was posted on Twitter on Wednesday

The Middle East Research Institute has confirmed that the man in the photo is Taliban Commander Badruddin Haqqani, a senior member of the Haqqani network in Afghanistan.



He was considered the organisation's day-to-day operations commander and was killed in a U.S. drone strike in August 2012. He was also the son of Haqqani head Jalaluddin Haqqani.



The Haqqani Network is an Islamist insurgent group allied with the Taliban and using asymmetric warfare to fight against US-led NATO forces and the government of Afghanistan.



Later @khorasan tweeted a series of messages in which they claimed Bergdahl was never tortured by the Taliban and only treated with kindness during his five years in captivity.



The Middle East Research Institute has confirmed that the man in the photo is Taliban Commander Badruddin Haqqani, a senior member of the Haqqani network in Afghanistan

Former POW Bergdahl was controversially released by the Taliban in May in exchange for five Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Since arriving back on American soil, he has been held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio as part of his 'reintegration.'

Last week it emerged that he is being allowed to wander off the Texas base and while under supervision he has visited a library, a supermarket, stores and fast-food chains near the camp.



During the trips, Bergdahl sometimes wears civilian clothing and other times dresses in his military uniform, leading passersby to recognize him and shake his hand, an Army spokesperson told CNN.

The details have emerged as soldiers who served with Bergdahl before he left his post in Afghanistan in 2009 revealed they have still not been contacted by military investigators.

Questions: A new investigation has been launched to determine whether Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, pictured, deserted his post or went AWOL when he was reported missing in Afghanistan in 2009

The former soldiers have said that they believe the Army has failed to contact them because it has already made up its mind about how Bergdahl ended up in the hands of the Taliban.

Members of Bergdahl's unit - including the platoon leader - have previously said they believe he deserted his post in June 2009 before seeking out the enemy.

But when he was swapped for five Guantanamo Bay detainees on May 31, President Obama gave him a hero's welcome and said the switch had been prompted by Bergdahl's poor health.

Two-star general Major General Kenneth Dahl is now conducting a new investigation to determine whether Bergdahl did desert his post or went AWOL, which would suggest he intended to rejoin.



But for former platoon leader Army Sgt. Evan Buetow, who left the Army in 2012, the answer is the same as it always was.

'I think it's very clear he deserted his post,' Buetow told FoxNews.com. 'He thought about what he was doing, he mailed some things home, he walked away and we have witnesses who saw him walking away.

Left out: Former platoon leader and Army Sgt. Evan Buetow, pictured in a previous Fox interview, said he believes the investigators have already made up their mind about what happened

'And if you’re walking away in one of the worst, most dangerous areas of Afghanistan without your weapon and gear, I don’t believe you’re planning on coming back.'



'Investigators have already concluded what they want to be said. They know exactly what happened' Former Army Sgt. Evan Buetow

Of the investigation, he added: ' They've already concluded what they want to be said. They know exactly what happened.'

Former Army Sgt. Matt Vierkant also said he had not been contacted by Army officials, but said there are probably still sworn statements by the unit's members made after he left the post.

'I have confidence that they're going to do what’s right,' Vierkant said. 'I just feel this should've happened a long time ago and it should've been public.'

Vierkant also believes that Bergdahl deserted his unit, which means he should be court martialed.

Speaking out: Former Army Sgt. Matt Vierkant, pictured in a previous interview on CNN, also said he had not been contacted by Army officials and believes that Bergdahl deserted the unit

Bergdahl is now receiving outpatient care at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and has ventured off base to the library, a supermarket, stores and restaurants as part of his reintegration process.

After his reintegration process, he will be assigned to an Army unit, according to the official.

But if Army officials determine that he did desert, Buetow said the one-time 'good soldier' should be court-martialed, demoted and dishonorably discharged