Mbowe

MEMORANDUM **

Appellant Ousman Mbowe, a native and citizen of The Gambia and a former sol *654 dier in the Gambian military, petitions for review of a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) affirming an Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). The IJ and the BIA denied relief on the ground that Mbowe’s testimony was not credible. Mbowe asserted past persecution and a fear of future persecution on account of imputed antigovernment opinions and his suspected participation in a coup attempt.

We review adverse credibility findings under the substantial evidence standard. Rivera v. Mukasey, 508 F.3d 1271, 1274 (9th Cir.2007). Credibility findings will be upheld unless the evidence compels a contrary conclusion. Malhi v. INS, 336 F.3d 989, 993 (9th Cir.2003). As long as one of the identified grounds underlying an adverse credibility finding is supported by substantial evidence and goes to the heart of the claim of persecution, we are bound to uphold that finding. 1 Li v. Ashcroft, 378 F.3d 959, 964 (9th Cir.2004). Because the IJ’s decision was supported by…