Organizers are no longer planning to throw a welcome home party for former Taliban captive Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in his hometown of Hailey, Idaho due to public backlash over the nature of his capture back in 2009.

The 28-year-old solider was captured in Afghanistan by the Taliban-aligned group Haqqani five years ago on June 30, 2009. However, soldiers who served with Bergdahl have accused him of deserting his post. They say that he was disillusioned by U.S. policies in Afghanistan and that he voluntarily left his platoon. As a result, at least six other American soldiers were killed while in search for him.

Organizers in Idaho say they received a number of complaints about celebrating the suspected deserter's return home.

Hailey Mayor Fritz Haemmerle told the Los Angeles Times that the organizers decided the party, which was scheduled for June 28, would attract too much controversy.

"The police chief is aware of the types of people who have threatened to come up and protest this thing," Haemmerle said. "We're a town of 8,000 people. The last thing we want is trouble."

"For better or worse, there are people who blame Bowe for the deaths of other soldiers who searched for him. If that's true, it's just tragic," he added. "We don't need any more people to get hurt. I don't think Bowe's family needs that. It's not in anyone's best interests."

The Chamber of Commerce also received complaints after promoting the event on Facebook, while many businesses complained that customers disappeared after the controversy erupted. Chamber membership director Kristy Heitzman revealed that many of the angry callers were veterans.

There is also controversy over whether the U.S. should have traded five Taliban leaders being held in Guantanamo Bay in exchange for his freedom.

Despite the outcry in bringing Bergdahl home, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel jumped to President Obama's defense in making the decision.

"I do not know of specific circumstances or details of U.S. solders dying as a result of efforts to find and rescue Sergeant Bergdahl," Hagel told a news conference, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"Until we get the facts, until we have ... a review of all the circumstances, it is not in the interest of anyone and certainly I think a bit unfair to Sergeant Bergdahl's family and to him to presume anything. We don't do that in the United States. We rely on facts," Hagel said.

"Let's get the facts, but let's first focus on getting Sergeant Bergdahl well, getting his health back, getting him reunified with his family," Hagel said.

"Let's not forget Sergeant Bergdahl is a member of the United States armed forces ... The United States of America has, and always will have, responsibility for getting its soldiers back. Other questions and facts regarding Sergeant Bergdahl will be dealt with at a later time," he added.

The Pentagon is planning to launch an investigation into whether Bergdahl deserted, but has not said whether it will review assertions that other soldiers died as a result.