Private Bethany Smith, a 21-year-old U.S. army deserter, won a key court battle on Friday when a Federal Court judge ordered Canada’s refugee board to reconsider its decision to deny Smith’s application for asylum in Canada. Smith left a military base at Fort Campbell, Ky., two years ago after suffering what she says was persecution based on her sexual orientation. According to Smith, after a fellow soldier outed her as a lesbian, she was harassed, made to work harder than others, and even threatened. Justice Yves de Montigny found in Smith’s favour, finding that Smith had legitimate reason to fear “that she could be punished for leaving an environment where her life is in danger.”

Canwest News Service