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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Short reprieve for asylum seekers | Short reprieve for asylum seekers |
| (about 18 hours later) | |
| Two Pakistani asylum seekers who sought sanctuary inside a Glasgow church to avoid deportation have been granted a short reprieve. | Two Pakistani asylum seekers who sought sanctuary inside a Glasgow church to avoid deportation have been granted a short reprieve. |
| Masih, 49 and Christine Raymond, 45, have lived in the city for 18 months. | Masih, 49 and Christine Raymond, 45, have lived in the city for 18 months. |
| 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. |
| Their parish priest said immigration officials had told the Raymonds, who missed a flight to Pakistan, that they could spend Wednesday night at home. | Their parish priest said immigration officials had told the Raymonds, who missed a flight to Pakistan, that they could spend Wednesday night at home. |
| The couple had been told to report to Glasgow Airport at 1945 BST on Wednesday for a flight to Lahore. | The couple had been told to report to Glasgow Airport at 1945 BST on Wednesday for a flight to Lahore. |
| The Pakistan consulate general in Glasgow said they had nothing to fear in returning to the country. | The Pakistan consulate general in Glasgow said they had nothing to fear in returning to the country. |
| However they claimed they face death if they are sent back to Pakistan, and instead sought sanctuary at St Patrick's Church in Anderston. | However they claimed they face death if they are sent back to Pakistan, and 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 | |
| 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." |
| Father Gerry Nugent, who has known the couple since they arrived in Glasgow, said he had welcomed them on humanitarian grounds. | Father Gerry Nugent, who has known the couple since they arrived in Glasgow, said he had welcomed them on humanitarian grounds. |
| 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." |
| When he heard the couple were safe to spend Wednesday night at their Glasgow home, Fr Nugent said he would take the couple to see Mohammed Sarwar MP on Thursday. | When he heard the couple were safe to spend Wednesday night at their Glasgow home, Fr Nugent said he would take the couple to see Mohammed Sarwar MP on Thursday. |
| His stance was backed by Archbishop Mario Conti, who faxed an urgent appeal to the home secretary, pleading for the deportation 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." | |
| 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. |