MEMORANDUM**

Vanek Khachatooriansaghdamargtin, an ethnic Armenian Christian, native and citizen of Iran, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision summarily affirming the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence, see Malhi v. INS, 336 F.3d 989, 993 (9th Cir. 2003), and deny the petition for review.

Substantial evidence supports the IJ’s finding that the petitioner failed to show that the persecution was on account of his religious beliefs, when prosecuted, imprisoned, and beaten for the charge of failing to pay rent. See Fisher v. INS, 79 F.3d 955, 961-62 (9th Cir. 1996) (en banc) (holding Iranian woman punished for allowing her hair to show and wearing makeup was not persecuted on account of political or religious beliefs).

Furthermore, substantial evidence supports the IJ’s finding that the petitioner’s fear of future persecution is based on possible criminal prosecution that is absent any improper government motive. See Abedini v. INS, 971 F.2d 188, 191 (9th Cir. 1992) (fear of criminal prosecution does not constitute persecution).

Because petitioner failed to establish eligibility for asylum, it follows that petitioner failed to satisfy the more stringent standard for withholding of removal. See Lata v. INS, 204 F.3d 1241, 1244 (9th Cir. 2000).

Additionally, substantial evidence supports the IJ’s denial of relief under the CAT. See Gui v. INS, 280 F.3d 1217, 1230 (9th Cir. 2002).

Pursuant to Desta v. Ashcroft, 365 F.3d 741 (9th Cir. 2004), petitioner’s motion for stay of removal included a timely request for stay of voluntary departure. Because the stay of removal was granted, the voluntary departure period was also stayed, nunc pro tunc, to the filing of the motion for stay of removal and this stay will expire upon issuance of the mandate.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.