A Munich court has rejected a U.S. soldier’s asylum application in Germany, arguing that he hasn’t exhausted all avenues to leave the military.
Army Spc. Andre Shepherd deserted from his military base in southern Germany in 2007, claiming he wanted to avoid returning to Iraq where he feared being involved in war crimes.
The 39-year-old, who has permanent residency in Germany because he is married to a German woman, took his case to court after German authorities rejected the asylum bid.
The Munich administrative court noted in its ruling Thursday that the Apache helicopter mechanic had repeatedly re-enlisted with the U.S. military.
The dpa news agency reported Thursday that Shepherd’s lawyer plans to appeal the verdict.
A spokesman for the U.S. Army in Europe couldn’t immediately comment on the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
This man has to be the worse kind of soldier. He has been a deserter since 2007, and still wants asylum in Germany; Good for them for saying no. He kept reenlisting, as far as I can see for the money, and what does he mean by he is afraid he will be charged with war crimes. Was he fighting for the other side? We are at war, and if you don’t kill these maniac’s first they will blow you away. Most likely he married this German woman for freedom of being charged with desertion. This man has lived for 9 years being a deserter, while his comrades have died serving our country. Does he think being black can get him off from being prosecuted? He needs to be court marshalled, and put in jail for deserting his military unit.
This Soldier’s argument doesn’t make sense. He’s a mechanic. A support soldier. He’s probably never actually been in combat, so how could he have been involved with ‘war crimes?’ He’s just making excuses to try to get out of punishment for desertion from the US Army. If I was the prosecutor I’d just tell the Germans that they can have him if they’re stupid enough to want him. He can’t return to the US without facing court martial and certain stockade/military prison time. So let the Germans keep him.
Keep him we don’t want him. No soldier I ever served with this is Obama’s military pathetic.
Good riddance! Don’t come back.
Evidently a typical Democrat or Hillary Clinton voter.
He wants all the free stuff he can get. I remember reading a book called “Seven came back” it is about 7 military men that went to Russia and did not like it and came back to the USA and were put in prision for desertion It is time to face the music and pay the piper
This coward has shown that he is not an American and definitely not a military person. But he is definitely a turn coat, a traitor, should be striped of his American citizenship, heritage, benefits, and never be allow to reenter the USA. All of his family direct relation or married relation should receive the same treatment. I am an American war Veteran, and I am proud of my service. This coward is making a mockery of us and our military. I request that our government and any of our allies reject this person and his family and they can go live in what ever country will let them stay, which might be a raft drifting at sea. Because In reality no country stands behind a known coward nor do they trust or respect a known traitor. He sounds like one of the currant young protestors of today which are acting just like the hippy revolt of my day. More drugs, moor money less work less responcibility and let some one take over our country. We the people come from a long line of patriots and hard working people,
how in the hell did we allow our kids to grow up without the strong roots that built this country.