Hundreds of deserters from the US armed forces have crossed into Canada and are now seeking political refugee status there, arguing that violations of the rules of war in Iraq by the US entitle them to asylum.
A decision on a test case involving two US servicemen is due shortly and is being watched with interest by fellow servicemen on both sides of the border. At least 20 others have already applied for asylum and there are an estimated 400 in Canada out of more than 9,000 who have deserted since the conflict started in 2003.
Ryan Johnson, 22, from near Fresno,California, was due to be deployed with his unit to Iraq in January last year but crossed the Canadian border last June and is seeking asylum.
"I had spoken to many soldiers who had been in Iraq and who told me about innocent civilians being killed and about bombing civilian neighborhoods," he said.
"It's been really great since I've been here. Generally, people have been really hospitable and understanding, although there have been a few who have been for the war," Johnson said.
He is now unable to return to the US.
"I don't have a problem with that. I'm in Canada and that's that," he said.
Johnson said it was unclear exactly how many US soldiers were in Canada but he thought 400 was a "realistic figure." He had been on speaking tours across the country as part of a war resisters' movement and had come across other servicemen living underground.
Jeffry House, a Toronto lawyer who represents many of the men, said that an increasing number were seeking asylum.
"There are a fair number without status and a fair number on student visas," he said, and under UN guidelines on refugee status they were entitled to seek asylum.
The first test cases involve Jeremy Hinzman, 26, who deserted from the 82 Airborne Division and Brandon Hughey from the 1st Cavalry Division. A decision on their applications is due within the next few weeks.
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