'They're going to kill me,' says asylum seeker

But Kazemian says the church's sanctuary is a matter of life and death in his case.

"They're going to kill me. I've been tortured in my country," he says. "My father as well. We have a very political family."

Kazemian says churches in Canada are selective in offering sanctuary, and don't open their doors to all refugees.

"This is just for my type of situation very critical and very serious," he says.

• FROM JULY 26, 2004: Sgro rapped for stand on church sanctuaries