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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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 had been told to report to Glasgow Airport at 1945 BST for a flight to Lahore. | |
| 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 Glasgow | Their 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 Conti | 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 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. |