U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2011

Muradyan v. Holder

Muradyan v. Holder
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · Decided March 18, 2011 · Farris, Leavy, Bybee
422 F. App'x 627

Muradyan v. Holder

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Hovsep Muradyan, a native of Iran and citizen of Armenia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) 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, Sangha v. INS, 103 F.3d 1482, 1487 (9th Cir. 1997), and we deny the petition for review.

Muradyan fears persecution from unknown members of the government who sought information regarding the murder of his former employer. Substantial evidence supports the agency’s conclusion that Muradyan did not establish that he was or would be persecuted on account of an actual or imputed political opinion. See INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 481 n. 1, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992) (to reverse the agency’s finding “we must find that the evidence not only supports that conclusion, but compels it”) (emphasis in original); Sangha, 103 F.3d at 1489-90. Accordingly, Muradyan’s asylum and withholding of removal claims fail. See Ochoa v. Gonzales, 406 F.3d 1166, 1172 (9th Cir. 2005).

Muradyan’s contention that the BIA erred by not addressing his CAT claim is belied by the record. Muradyan does not otherwise challenge the denial of his CAT claim. See Martinez-Serrano v. INS, 94 F.3d 1256, 1259-60 (9th Cir. 1996) (issues not specifically raised and argued in a party’s opening brief are waived).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

**

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

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