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Canada stays deportation of Army deserter

TORONTO — The Federal Court of Canada has stayed the deportation of U.S. war resister Matt Lowell, according to a war resisters support group. Lowell’s deportation had been scheduled for Tuesday.

The group says the stay will give the court time to consider whether Lowell’s appeal of his negative pre-removal risk assessment will be heard.

Lowell fled to Ontario in 2005 and could face seven years in prison on charges of desertion.

He works in computer technology support and has lived with friends in London, Ontario.

His stay follows similar delays granted to war resisters Corey Glass and Jeremy Hinzman.

“We are delighted that the Federal Court has again granted a stay of deportation for a war resister,” said Lee Zaslofsky, coordinator of the War Resisters Support Campaign. “Hopefully, the Court will now hear Matt’s appeal.”

Lowell enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2002. He said what changed his mind was a letter from a friend who joined the military at the same time he did and went to Iraq.

The friend reported having to shoot a child because the child had picked up a gun.