Deported U.S. army deserter will plead guilty, lawyer says

An American soldier who fled to Canada when his unit was deployed to Iraq plans to plead guilty Friday to a reduced charge of desertion, his lawyer said.

Pte. Robin Long, 25, of Boise, Idaho, faces up to three years in prison and a dishonourable discharge, civilian lawyer James Branam said Thursday.

Long fled to Canada in 2005, but his request for refugee status was denied. He was deported from British Columbia on July 15  and sent to Fort Carson, Colo. after a judge refused to grant a stay of his deportation order.

Branam said Long has reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to desertion with intent to remain away permanently, a lesser charge than desertion with intent to shirk hazardous duty. He said Long's sentence will be determined Friday.

"Yes, he did break the law, he committed a wrong, but he shouldn't be punished harshly because he had a lot of good reasons to do what he did," Branam said.

"He believes very sincerely he couldn't participate in this war in good conscience."

Long also feared his fellow soldiers would be at risk in combat if Long "couldn't pull the trigger" because of moral qualms, Branam said.

Another U.S. soldier who sought refugee status in Canada was ordered out of the country this month.

Jeremy Hinzman deserted from Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2004 after learning his unit was to be deployed to Iraq. Hinzman has said the war is immoral and illegal.

He said last week he was ordered to leave Canada by Sept. 23.