support from the congregation of St Andrew's United Reformed Church in Frognal. The Reverend Jonathan Dean of St Andrew's said: "I think it is very important that an individual case like this is brought to the attention of the Prime Minister.
"The people here today know that this is a just case and that there is no question that Afshin has been through suffering in Iran and that has continued here. We are flabbergasted the people in power can't see this."
Frank Nally, Columban missionary, said: "It has been a long time. When he came to us a year ago he was psychologically affected, had short term memory problems and was traumatised.
"There should really be an amnesty so the Home Office can clear up the mess it has created."
On Wednesday Liam Byrne MP, minister for immigration, ruled out an amnesty for illegal immigrants in the UK.
Rachel Bird, of the Refugee Project, organised the protest in Whitehall.
She said: "Lots of people have signed the petition today and lots of them were not aware not only of Afshin's situation but of asylum seekers in general.
"The Home Office should respond to this but we will continue to raise awareness.
* If you would like to support Afshin's campaign email matt.eley@hamhigh.co.uk
Is the end in sight for Afshin?
ASYLUM seeker Afshin Azizian is ready for one of the biggest days of his life.
On Wednesday, the 37-year-old will be joined by scores of supporters outside Downing Street in a protest against his treatment by the Home Office.
He has been living in the UK for 11 years but after his application for asylum was

rejected has been left in a state of limbo. The immigrationservice has made no move to deport him but he is unable to work or claim benefits. He fears he will be the executed if deported to Iran due to his conversion to Christianity and his anti-establishment views.
He hopes the protest will finally lead to him being granted refugee status in the UK.
He said “I am feeling very positive about it. Lately I have met a lot of nice people who really have empathy with my situation. Before I have felt very bitter when I felt like I was on my own. Now I feel it was meant for me to go through this in order to be able to make a positive contribution in other peoples’ lives if they are in a similar situation” I
The Ham&High has been supporting Mr Azizians’ fight to stay in the UK.
He arrived from Iran in 1995 and set up home and found a job in West Hampstead. Five years later he was belatedly told his asylum application had failed and he has been fighting to stay in the UK ever since.
Hundreds have added their names to support the Ham&High’s campaign. Organisations expected at Downing Street to lend their support include Amnesty International, the Refugee Project and members of his church – St Andrew’s in Finchley Road. H&H July 7, 2006

Please sign below and email to matt.eley@hamhigh.co.uk
To: Liam Byrne Minister for immigration
Given the concern for human rights in Iran, the length of time Afshin has spent in the UK and the connections he has made, I ask you to allow him to stay on compassionate grounds.