U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2009

Vakhtang v. Holder

Vakhtang v. Holder
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · Decided March 30, 2009 · Hawkins, Leavy, Tashima
320 F. App'x 710

Vakhtang v. Holder

Opinion of the Court

MEMORANDUM **

Eloyan Vakhtang, a native and citizen of Armenia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence, Don v. Gonzales, 476 F.3d 738, 741 (9th Cir. 2007), and we deny the petition for review.

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination because inconsistencies regarding the length of time Vakhtang served in the military and the date he allegedly was conscripted by force go to the heart of his claim. See id. at 741-43. Accordingly, Vakhtang’s asylum and withholding of removal claims fail. See Farah v. Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 1153, 1156 (9th Cir. 2003).

Vakhtang does not raise any substantive arguments in his opening brief regarding the agency’s denial of CAT relief. See Martinez-Serrano v. INS, 94 F.3d 1256, 1259-60 (9th Cir. 1996) (“Issues raised in a brief that are not supported by argument are deemed abandoned.”).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.