Movsisan

I. BACKGROUND

Movsisian, a Pentecostal Christian from Armenia, entered the United States in 1993, when he was 16 years old. Movsi- sian presented testimony, which the IJ deemed credible, that he left Armenia with his mother to avoid compulsory military service. Movsisian stated that the war was very dangerous, and that he feared being killed given the lack of “law and order” in Armenia. Movsisian explained that one of his neigh- bors was conscripted and beaten to death by drunken officers.

Movsisian also testified that the Armenian authorities do not allow Pentecostal Christians to practice their religion freely. Movsisian and his mother had to worship in the homes of other church members, and one of his pastors was arrested in 1992 or 1993. However, Movsisian did not know what would happen if he returned to Armenia and practiced his faith. MOVSISIAN v. ASHCROFT 911 The IJ denied asylum and withholding of deportation, hold- ing that Movsisian’s fear of being drafted did not provide a basis for relief. The IJ also found that the evidence did not support Movsisian’s claim that he was a genuine religious conscientious objector to military service. Finally, the…