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Asylum seekers shelter in church Asylum seekers shelter in church
(about 2 hours later)
Two Pakistani asylum seekers have sought sanctuary inside a Glasgow church in a bid to avoid deportation.Two Pakistani asylum seekers have sought sanctuary inside a Glasgow church in a bid to avoid deportation.
Masih, 49 and Christine Raymond, 45, who have lived in the city for 18 months, claimed they face death if they are sent back to Pakistan.Masih, 49 and Christine Raymond, 45, who have lived in the city for 18 months, claimed they face death if they are sent back to Pakistan.
As Catholics, they fled Pakistan after Masih claimed he was detained and beaten. They have been refused asylum.As Catholics, they fled Pakistan after Masih claimed he was detained and beaten. They have been refused asylum.
The Pakistan consulate general in Glasgow said they have nothing to fear in returning to the country.The Pakistan consulate general in Glasgow said they have nothing to fear in returning to the country.
The couple were refused asylum and have been told to report to Glasgow Airport at 1945 BST for a flight to Lahore. The couple were refused asylum and had been told to report to Glasgow Airport at 1945 BST for a flight to Lahore.
They have sought sanctuary at St Patrick's Church in Anderston. However they instead sought sanctuary at St Patrick's Church in Anderston.
Their contention something bad would happen on their return is not one I share Shah M JamalPakistan Consulate General in GlasgowTheir contention something bad would happen on their return is not one I share Shah M JamalPakistan Consulate General in Glasgow
Christine Raymond said: "I am so depressed, it is horrible and we are both upset.Christine Raymond said: "I am so depressed, it is horrible and we are both upset.
"We can't go, there is no choice. We have not slept for three nights, we are not going to Pakistan.""We can't go, there is no choice. We have not slept for three nights, we are not going to Pakistan."
Their parish priest said he has welcomed them on humanitarian grounds.Their parish priest said he has welcomed them on humanitarian grounds.
'Last refuge''Last refuge'
Father Gerry Nugent has known the couple since they arrived in Glasgow.Father Gerry Nugent has known the couple since they arrived in Glasgow.
He said: "They chapped my door and asked for help. I'm giving them a roof over their head, they are frightened and have nowhere to go.He said: "They chapped my door and asked for help. I'm giving them a roof over their head, they are frightened and have nowhere to go.
"I am also scared and confused but I can't turn them away.""I am also scared and confused but I can't turn them away."
He added: "Hopefully someone will change their minds."He added: "Hopefully someone will change their minds."
I would ask those involved in their deportation to refrain from any attempt to violate church property in an attempt to remove them Archbishop Mario ContiI would ask those involved in their deportation to refrain from any attempt to violate church property in an attempt to remove them Archbishop Mario Conti
His stance was backed by Archbishop Mario Conti, who has faxed an urgent appeal to the Home Secretary pleading for the deporation to be halted.His stance was backed by Archbishop Mario Conti, who has faxed an urgent appeal to the Home Secretary pleading for the deporation to be halted.
He said: "I salute Fr Nugent's principled stand and I support him and the Raymond family in their plight.He said: "I salute Fr Nugent's principled stand and I support him and the Raymond family in their plight.
"I have spoken to the local MP and asked him to intervene and am writing to the Home Secretary as a matter of extreme urgency to have this dreadful decision overturned."I have spoken to the local MP and asked him to intervene and am writing to the Home Secretary as a matter of extreme urgency to have this dreadful decision overturned.
"I will offer the Raymond family the full support of the Archdiocese in their plight and I would ask those involved in their deportation to refrain from any attempt to violate Church property in an attempt to remove them.""I will offer the Raymond family the full support of the Archdiocese in their plight and I would ask those involved in their deportation to refrain from any attempt to violate Church property in an attempt to remove them."
The Pakistan Consulate General in Glasgow, Shah M Jamal, said the couple would have received reassurances from his office.The Pakistan Consulate General in Glasgow, Shah M Jamal, said the couple would have received reassurances from his office.
He said: "Their contention something bad would happen on their return is not one I share.He said: "Their contention something bad would happen on their return is not one I share.
"We have a large Christian community in Pakistan and they are thriving, they are doing wonderfully well."We have a large Christian community in Pakistan and they are thriving, they are doing wonderfully well.
"We have no role in the determination of their cases, it is decided on merit."We have no role in the determination of their cases, it is decided on merit.
"It is a desperate attempt, places of worship are seen as the last refuge.""It is a desperate attempt, places of worship are seen as the last refuge."
He said 200-plus families had gone back to Pakistan in the past year.He said 200-plus families had gone back to Pakistan in the past year.
The Home Office said it does not comment on individual cases.The Home Office said it does not comment on individual cases.