Muradin

Background

In August 2000, Muradin attempted to enter the United States using an alien card belonging to another individual. The Immigration and Naturalization Service placed him in removal proceedings. Muradin conceded removability but sought asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under

CAT.

Before the IJ, Muradin testified that he had been mistreated by Armenian military officers and feared the military would persecute, torture, or kill him if he returned to Armenia. Muradin recounted how he was abused and beaten while in the military. He testified that after he witnessed three officers beat a soldier to death, the head of his military unit threatened and starved him, and locked him in isolation. He also stated that in 1998, a senior officer left Muradin and five others in a tent in the mountains without food. When, after eleven days, the soldiers left the mountains to seek food in a village, the officer arrested them for violating his orders. Muradin testi- fied that he was then kept in custody for two months. Although Muradin’s service was scheduled to end in August 1999, he was forced to work on the construction of his offi- cer’s house until he escaped in April 2000.…