FI L ED U.S. COURT OF APPEAL S EL EVENTHCI RCUI T MAY 16, 2011 J OHN L EY CL ERK [DO NOT PUBLISH] IN THE U

NITED STATE S COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELE VENTH CIRCUIT

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ No. 1 0- 14 18 7 Non -Arg um en t Ca le nd ar

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Agen cy No. A9 6- 48 6- 39 0 FARRUKH BOBOKALONOV, Pet it io ne r, ve rs us U.S. ATTO RNEY GENERAL, Res po nd en t.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Pet it io n fo r Rev ie w of aDeci si on of t he Bo ardof I m

m ig rat io n Ap pe al s

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (Ma y 16 , 20 11 ) Befo re BARKETT, W ILSON an d F AY, Circ ui t J ud ge s. PER CURI AM:Farrukh B ob ok al on ov , a na ti ve of Taji ki st anan d c it iz enof R us si a, pe ti ti on s fo r rev ie w of the de ni al of h is ap pl ic at io n fo r as y lu m , withh ol di ng of r em ov al un de r th e Imm ig rat io n a ndNati on al it y Act (“ INA”), an d re li ef und er the Co nv en ti on Agai ns t To rtu re an d Ot he r Cru el , Inh um an , or Deg rad in g Tre atm en t orPuni sh m en t (“ CAT”). 8 U.S.C. §§ 11 58 , 12 31 (b )(3 ); 8 C.F.R. § 20 8.1 6. He arg ue s, fi rs t, tha t h is adm in is tra ti ve rem ed ie s wi thres pe ctto th e CAT cl ai m sh ou ld be de em edex haus te d a nd , th us , we sh ou ldex erci se juri sd ic ti on to rev ie w th e m eri ts of the cla im . He furt he r arg ue s tha t the Bo ardof I m m ig rat io n Ap pe al s’s (“ BIA”) adve rs e cre di bi li ty det erm in at io n was no t s up po rte d b y subs tant ia l ev id en ce. Forth e rea so ns setforth be lo w, we di sm is s t he pe ti ti on with re sp ectto

1 th e CAT cl ai m

an d d en y th e p et it io n wi th res pe ctto th e as y lu m an d wi th ho ld in gof -rem ov al cla im s. I. Bo bo ka lo no v e nt eredth e Uni te d S ta te s i n M ay 20 02 on a J- 1 e xc hang e vi si to r vi sa . In 2 00 6, h e was serve d wi th a Not ic e to App ear a ll eg in g tha t h e h ad In addition, Boboka lonov argues that the BIA incorre ctly held that the REAL I D Act of 1 2005 applied t o his claim and, thus, incorre ctly applied the REAL I D Act’s totality -of- the circ umstances standard to his cre dibility deter mination rathe r than a h ea rt-of- the-c laim standard. Boboka lonov is corr ect that his claim is not g overne d by the REAL I D Act, which beca me eff ective i n May 2005, approximately two year s afte r he filed his application. See Pub. L . No. 10 9 -1 3 , § 101(h)( 2), 119 Sta t . 305. Yet, as discussed below, Boboka lonov’s cre dibilit y deter mination satisfies either standard. There fore , the BIA’s misstatement of the law was harmless, and we decline to addre ss the novel question of whether the totality -of- the-c i rc u mstances or hear t-of-the -cla im standard should a

pply to claims initi ated prior to the eff ective date of the REAL

I D Act. 2ov ers ta y edhi s v is a an d c ha rg in g h im un de r INA § 2 37 (a)( 1) (B), 8 U.S.C. § 1 22 7( a)(1 )(B) . He adm it te d t he all eg at io ns an d t he Im m ig rat io n J ud ge (“ IJ ”) su st ai ne d t he ch arg e o f rem ov ab il it y . In20 03 , Bob ok al on ov ap pl ie d fo r as y lu m on th e b as is of h is rel ig io n. He st at edth athe was b orn i n Taji ki st anan d was Mu sl im by birt h, tho ug h h e d idno t pr act ic e th e rel ig io n. He al le ge d t ha t h is fathe r ha d re fu se d t o fi gh t o n t he si de of ei th er o f two Mu sl im

gro up s dur in g Taji ki st an ’s civ il war in th e 1 99 0s , so th e gr oups pu t the Bo bo ka lo no v fa m il y on a li stof p eo pl e to be ki ll ed . The family ob ta in edrefu ge e st atus inRu ss iain19 91 . Howev er, the pe op le fro m Tajik is ta n ha d fo un d t he fam il y

inRu ss iaan d wer e try in g a ga in to ki ll th em . In the pa stfew y ears , peo pl e h adco m e to th e fam il y ’s ho us e in Ru ss iaan d s ho t atitwith v ari ou s ki nd s o f weap on s, b utno on e h adbe enki ll edy et . In20 06 , Bob ok al on ov pre pa reda typedst at em en t i n s up po rt o f hi s as y lu m ap pl ic at io n. He s ta te d t ha t h e an d h is fam il y li ve d i n Taji ki st anun ti l 1 99 2, the y ear i n wh ic h c iv il war b ro ke ou t. The war was ch arac te riz edby blo od y rev en ge , ve nd etta s, an d “ li qu id at io n” of p ol it ic al fig ur es an d the ir f am il ie s. A m

ul la h wi th po wer i n t he go ve rn m en t m ad e a l is t enum erat in g a ll act iv e p ol it ic al fig ur es an d m em be rs of t wo o pp os it io n p art ie s, wh o wer e d en ou nc edas e ne m ie s o f th e p eo pl e. The op po si ti on was b as edinth e Kui bi sh evdi st ric t, wh ere B ob ok al on ov ’s fam il y 3li ve d, an d h is un cl e, Anv ar, was act iv e in on e o f th e o pp os it io n g ro up s. An va r’s

act iv ity cau se d h im

an d h is rel at iv es , in cl ud in g B ob ok al on ov ’s fam il y , to be pl acedon th e m

ul la h’s l is t. InMay 199 2, the en ti re ex te nd edfam il y lef t fo r Dus hanb e, th e cap it al . W he n An va r ch eck edBo bo ka lo no v’s g ran dm ot he r’s ho us e to m ak e su re ev eryone ha d l eft , he f ou ndth atth e h ou se ha d b een att ack ed . Mi rro rs were b ro ke n a ndth e wal ls ha d b een sh otwith g un s. Aft er arriv in g i n Dus hanb e, Anv ar l eftinsearch of m or e fam il y m em be rs . After h eari ng no th in g fro m hi m foreig hty ears , Bob ok al on ov ’s fam il y lea rn edth atAnv ar h admig rat ed to Afgh an is ta n a ndha d b eenki ll edwhentrying to return h om e to Tajik is ta n. As th e war s pr eadth ro ug ho utTajik is ta n, the fam il y ha d n o c ho ic e b utto m ig rat e to Ru ss iainDecem

be r 19 92 . The g ov ern m en t fo rces ev en tu al ly w on th e ci vi l war , an d t he op po si ti onm em

be rs an d t he pe op le onth e m ul la h’s l is t b ecame soc ia l ou tc as ts who ha d d iff

ic ul ty find in g wo rk . Bo bo ka lo no v fu rth er s ta te d t ha t h is m ot he r was un ab le to fin d e m pl oym en t in Ru ss ia , andth e b en efi ts hi s fa th er rec ei ve d a s a f or cedimm ig ran t wer e n ot en ou ghto supp ort the en ti re fa m il y . After g radua ti ng fro m hi gh sch oo l, Bo bo ka lo no v m ov edto a la rg e ci ty to at te ndth e u ni ve rs it y . There , agg res si ve ga ng s o f te en ag e rad ic al s h adreal po wer an d t he supp ort o f th e g en eral po pu la ti on . Tho se gro up s wer e v ery da ng ero us to im m ig ran ts fro m

Cen tra l As ia . 4One of the m os t s eri ou s ex tre m is t g ro up s, the sk in he ad s, h adhu ge supp ort am on g

y ou ng pe op le . Whe n B ob ok al on ov ha d the op po rtu ni ty to trav el to th e Uni te d St at es , he t oo k i t i m

m ed ia te ly. He ad de d t ha t, i n M ay 20 05 , hi s s is te r was cru el ly be at enat abu s s ta ti on . The o nl y ex pl an at io n g iv enby the pa rti ci pant s was th at on e o f th e m enco ul d n otfin d ajob be cau se of “ th is ki ndof p eo pl e.” Insupp ort o f hi s ap pl ic at io n, Bo bo ka lo no v s ub m it te d t he U.S. Stat e Dep artm en t’s 2 00 8 C ou ntry Rep ort o n R

us si a, whi ch st at edth atth ere was so m e go ve rn m en ta l d is cri m in at io n a ndwid es pr eadso ci et al di sc riminat io n, as well as raci al ly m ot iv at edatt ack s, ag ai ns t et hn ic min or it ie s an d d ark -s ki nn edimm ig ran ts orgu es t wo rk ers . There was ast eady ris e in xe no ph ob ic , raci al , andeth ni c at ta ck s an d h at e cri m es , parti cu la rly by sk in he ad s, n at io na li st s, an d ri gh t-wi ng ex tre m is ts . The rep ort p art ic ul arl y

de sc rib edvi ol en ce an d d is cri m in at io n a ga in stTajik worke rs an d o th er i m

m ig ran ts fro m

Cen tra l As iaan d t he Cau cas us , andth e fac t th atpo li ce o fte n fa il edto reco rdin frac ti on s ag ai ns t m in or it ie s o r to is su e a wri tt en reco rdto th e al le ge d p erp etrat or s. At the asylu m

he ari ng , Bob ok al on ov tes ti fie d t ha t h is m othe r an d o ld er si st er were res id in g i n the Uni te d S ta te s, wh erea s h is y ou ng er b ro th er an d s is te r rem ai ne d i n R

us si a. He st at edth atitwas d an ge ro us forhi m to be inRu ss iadu e to

“ a se rie s o f ev en ts ” th atha d h ap pe ne d t he re. He te st ifi edth athe was n in e y ears 5ol d i n 1 99 2 wh enth e fam il y imm ig rat edfro m

Tajik is ta n t o R

us si a. His un cl e was act iv e inpo li ti cs , andhi s fa th er h el pe d h is un cl e. The fa m il y lef t Tajik is ta n be cau se of the civ il war, an d b ecau se op pr es si on of t he op po si ti on m ad e it da ng ero us for

hi s u nc le an d t he fam il y

to st ay . Bob ok al on ov be cam e a Ru ss ia n ci ti zen an d c arri eda Ru ss ia n p as sp ort. He d idno t wan t t o re tu rnto Ru ss ia be cau se of the na ti on al is t g ro up s t ha t s ur face d wh il e h e was inhi gh sch oo l. He ha d e xp eri en cedph y si cal fig ht s an d v io le nc e, whi ch di d n otha ve an y co ns eque nc es forth e p erp etrat or s. He h adto go to th e h os pi ta l atlea stfiv e ti m es . He te st ifi edth athe ex pe rie nc edth e fi rs t v io le ntin ci de ntin19 98 , when he was inten th gra de . He was l eav in g s ch oo l wh ena la rg e g ro up of p eo pl e o n t he st reetap pr oa ch edhi m

an d s ta rte d a sk in g que st io ns ab ou t h is m ot he r in ord er t o pr ov ok e a fi gh t. He rec og ni zedth ree fe ll ow s tu de nt s wh o wer e p art ic ip an ts in th e ne w sk in he adm ov em en t. The pe op le hi t h im inth e fac e an d e ls ewh ere o n h is bo dy, kno ck in g h im

off hi s fe et . He di d n otsee k t reat m en t af te r th is in ci de nt , and he di d n otrep ort i t t o t he au th or it ie s, as he th ou gh t i t was jus t anord in ary fig ht . InFeb ru ary 19 99 , whenBo bo ka lo no v was inele ve nt h g rad e, pe op le be at hi m , in su lt edhi m , andsai d t ha t i t was hi gh ti m e fo r hi m to go ba ckto hi s m ot he rland . He was h os pi ta li zedforon e o r two da y s fo r a co nc us si on . He sai d th athe rep orte d t he in ci de ntto th e au th or it ie s an d t ha t s om e o th er fi gh ts happ en ed

6in th e p res en ce o f au th or it ie s. Whenhe ask edau th or it ie s wh ethe r th ey co ul d h el p an d wh ethe r he ha d g ro un ds to op enup a cas e, th ey wou ldtel l h im

th atth e cri m in al ha d d is ap pe aredan d c ou ldno t b e fo un d. Th e fi gh ts co nt in ue d a ndhe ha d to see k t reat m en t atho sp it al s, b utth e p ol ic e ref us edto pro te cthi m . Bo bo ka lo no v a ls o re cal le d a n o ccas io n i n 2 00 0, ju stbe fo re h e en ro ll edat th e u ni ve rs it y , when pe op le pu sh edhi m off a st ai rcas e. His leg was n otbro ke n, bu t i t was ve ry

ser io us ly bru is edan d re qu ire d a n o pe rat io n. He was inth e h os pi ta l fo r two da y s an d h adto st ay at h om e fo r two or t hr ee wee ks . He rep orte d t he in ci de ntto th e p ol ic e, bu t h e was to ldth atth ere was no cri m in al off en se be cau se he co ul d h av e m erel y

fal le n o ff the st ai rcas e. He tes ti fie d t ha t the se were the

“ m os t v iv id ” in ci de nt s, b ut“ th ere wer e to o m an y in ci de nc es of o pp res si on an d ph y si cal vi ol en ce” t o b e ab le to enum erat e th em . He con st an tl y he ardpe op le ta lk in g abo uthi m , eit he r in cla ss or o n t he st reet , andsayin g t ha t i t was ti m e fo r hi m to “ go ba ck .” Bo bo ka lo no v a dd edth at , when he was i n h ig h s ch oo l, the sk in he ad m ov em en t was on ly j us t s ta rti ng an d s ki nh ead s t reat edth e m ov em en t l ik e a h ob by orli fes tyle. Arou ndth e ti m e h e wen t awa y to un iv ers ity , sk in he adgro up s b ecame m or e se rio us an d o rg an iz ed . There was n o v io le nc e d ire ct edat h is pa ren ts . Oth er m em be rs of h is fam il y

go t i nt o fi gh ts , bu t n on e as ser io us an d t rau m at ic as h e h ad

7ex pe rie nc eddu rin g h ig h s ch oo l. He was afra idto go ba ckto Ru ss iabe cau se he

di d n otth in k h e wou ldsu rv iv e fo r a m on th , du e to th e in crea se inarm ed , off ic ia ll y reg is te redgro up s t ha t s eekto pu rg e Ru ss iaof i m m ig ran ts fro m

Cen tra l As ia . Bo bo ka lo no v fu rth er t es ti fie d t ha t h is y ou ng er s is te r, Mad in a, worke d a s an in te rp ret er i n R

us si a. Becaus e sh e was hi redforth atpo si ti on ov er o th er can di da te s wh o b el on ge d t o s ki nh eadgro up s, s he was a tt ack edinth e st reetas s he le ft acla ss at the un iv ers it y . She was b eat enan d s uf fere d s eri ou s i nju rie s, in cl ud in g aco nc us si on , whi ch requi redhe r to be ho sp it al iz edbri efl y . Whe n se cu rit y gu ard s arriv edat t he sce ne , th e at ta ck ers to ldth e g ua rd s t ha t Ru ss ia ns do no t h av e job s b ecau se of p eo pl e li ke Mad in a. Bo bo ka lo no v a ls o s ai d tha t h is br ot he r, a p ro fes si on al ch es s p la y er, co m pe te d i n ato urna m en t fo r th e o pp ortu ni ty to co m e to th e Uni te d S ta te s. His bro th er d efea te d apl ay er wh o b el on ge d t o a na ti on al is t g ro up . Becau se he ha d d ep riv edth atpl ay er o f th e tr ip , th e b ro th er was be at ensev erel y

an d h is ki dn ey s wer e in

jure d. He was ho sp it al iz edfortwo week s. Whe n a sk edon cro ss -ex am in at io n wh y he ha d n otm en ti on edth e atta ck s an d h os pi ta li zat io ns inhi s o rig in al asylu m ap pl ic at io n, Bo bo ka lo no v s ai d t ha t the st at em en t was writ te n d own by a para le ga l. He t ol d h is st ory to th e p aral eg al , who jus t wro te whatth e p aral eg al th ou gh t was im po rta nt . Bob ok al on ov ackno wled ge d th athe sp eak s fl ue ntEng li sh hi m se lf, s o h e wou ldha ve kn own whathe was 8subm it ti ng with t he ap pl ic at io n, b uthe sai d t ha t h e si gn editwitho utread in g i t

be cau se he ass um edth atth e p aral eg al ha d wri tt endo wn ev erythi ng he sai d. He in di cat edth athe ha d p rep aredth e typedsupp le m en ta l s ta te m en t, wh ic h h e to okto hi s as y lu m

in te rv ie w, by

hi m se lf. Bo bo ka lo no v re it erat edth athi s fi rs t b eat in g o ccu rreddu rin g h ig h s ch oo l. He so ug htm ed ic al tre atm en t b y hi m se lf f orth e at ta ck s dur in g h ig h s ch oo l, b utan at ta ck at t he un iv ers it y

was t he fir stoc cas io n t ha t re qu ire d o th ers to tak e h im to a ho sp it al . His l on ge stpe rio d o f ho sp it al iz at io n o ccu rredinW in te r 20 02 . The 2 00 2 in ci de ntwas t he m ai n re as on th athe to okpa rt i n t he ex ch an ge pro gr am . As he walk edfro m

th e uni ve rs it y

to a tr ai n s ta ti on , he wen t thr ou gh anun de rg ro un d cro ss in g, wh ere g ro up s o f pe op le bl oc ke d h is way an d a sk edhi m

qu es ti on s t ha t were i nt en de d t o p ro vo ke a fi gh t. Durin g t he fig ht , he s uf fere d s om e so rt o f br ai n in jury. He di d n otrem em

be r ho w he g otto th e h os pi ta l, b uthe kn ew “ th ey ” to ok hi m th ere. He s pe ntap pr ox im at el y a m on th inth e h os pi ta l. Bo bo ka lo no v s ta te d t ha t h is bro th er’s v ic to ry inth e ch es s t ou rn am en t was on ly a pret ex t fo r th e b eat in g. If s om eo ne els e h adwon , th atpe rs on wou ldno t ha ve be enbe at en . He add edth atth e fam il y be ga n t o d is cu ss m ov in g b ackto Tajik is tan i n 1 99 4 o r 19 95 . News o f Anv ar’s d eat h i n 2 00 1 c au se d t he fam il y to de ci de no t t o re tu rnto Tajik is ta n. Bo bo ka lo no v a dd edth athe can no t re tu rnto 9Tajik is tan b ecau se , du rin g t he civ il war, two Ru ss ia n p eace ke ep in g d iv is io ns were

sh otby gov ern m en t tro op s. Si nc e th atti m e, rel at io ns hi ps be twee n the co un tri es an d wi th in Tajik is ta n h adde te rio rat ed . Bo bo ka lo no v t es ti fie d t ha t h e was inreg ul ar co nt actwith h is m ot he r an d ol de r si st er, wh o a re i n t he Uni te d S ta te s, b utth athe ha d n otask edth em to writ e le tt ers de sc rib in g wh athapp en edto hi m inRu ss ia . He sai d t ha t h e h adtri edfor si x years t o o bt ai n c op ie s o f hi s m ed ic al reco rd s, b utth atth e o ld er re co rd s d idno t ex is t b ecau se a Ru ss ia n c it iz enob ta in s a n ew m ed ic al -h is to ry bo ok le t wh enhe m ov es fro m

on e ci ty to an ot he r. He ha d o bt ai ne d ano te or c ert ifi cat e th athe was be at enwhi le at t he un iv ers it y , bu t h e h adno t b ro ug htth atno te with h im to th e Uni te d S ta te s an d i t was pro bl em at ic to ob ta in a co py. Whe ne ve r he ha d t rie d t o fil e a p ol ic e rep ort o r to tak e le ga l ac ti on ag ai ns t h is att ack ers , he was alwa y s t ol d th atth ere was no cri m in al off en se or t ha t h e sh ou ldgo ba ckto hi s co un try. The IJ n ot edth atth e b ul k o f th e typedst at em en t d is cu ss edth e Tajik is ta n ci vi l war , andhe ask edwhy th e st at em en t d idno t m en ti on an y of t he in ci de nt s o f be at in gs by ski nh ead s. Bo bo ka lo no v s ai d tha t the st at em en t wo ul d h av e b een si x orsev enpa ge s l on g, an d i t was si m pl er jus t t o t el l the asylum off ic er ab ou t tho se in ci de nt s. Th e IJ als o n ot edth atBo bo ka lo no v h adto ldth e o ffi cer t ha t h e h ada co py of a n ews pape r rep ort d es cri bi ng hi s youn ge r si st er’s b eat in g, an d t ha t the

10of

fic er h adgi ve n h im

ti m e to pro vi de a co py, butBo bo ka lo no v h adno t d on e so . Bo bo ka lo no v t ol d t he IJ t ha t the off ic er h adgi ve n h im

ti m e to pro du ce h is m ed ic al reco rd s, b utth atth e cen tra l m ed ic al faci li ty hadsai d the y wou ldne edti m e to se arch th e arc hi ve . He als o s ai d t ha t the ne wsp ap er re po rt abo uthi s s is te r was av ai labl e o nl in e, as were the m an y co m m en ts on th e art ic le th atpro ve d t he att itud e of Ru ss ia ns to wardCen tra l As ia n i m m ig ran ts , andth athe co ul d p rin t o uta co py of th e art ic le at a ny tim e. The IJ d en ie d a ll of B ob ok al on ov ’s reque st s fo r rel ie f an d o rd eredhi m rem ov edto Ru ss ia , bas edon th e fi nd in g tha t Bo bo ka lo no v’s t es ti m on y was in cred ib le . The IJ no te d m ajordi sc rep an ci es am on g B ob ok al on ov ’s asylum ap pl ic at io n, s up pl em en ta l ty pe d s ta te m en t, as y lu m

in te rv ie w, andtes ti m on y . He di d n otfin d i t re as on ab le th atBo bo ka lo no v s im pl y di d n otth in k i t n eces sa ry to m en ti on th e b eat in gs inth e st at em en t as lo ng as h e m en ti on edth em du rin g t he in te rv ie w andinco urt, an d B ob ok al on ov ha d t ol d the asylu m off ic er an d IJ th at th e ap pl ic at io n was co m

pl et e an d c orrect . It was no t re as on ab le th atBo bo ka lo no v wou ldno t h av e to ldeit he r th e as y lu m off ic er o r th e co urt tha t h e h adde li be rat el y om it te d fr om

hi s ap pl ic at io n a ll of t he in fo rm at io n abo utth e al le ge d a tt ack s. Fu rth er, Bo bo ka lo no v h adto ldth e as y lu m off ic er tha t h e “ was be at ena bu nc h a nd itwas n o b ig de al ,” an d t ha t h e “ di d n otpa y att en ti on be cau se itwas alo ng ti m e 11ag o.” Thi s ex pl an at io n was no t re as on ab le , bu t i t s ug ge st edth atBo bo ka lo no v d id

no t h av e m

uc h fe ar o f returni ng to Ru ss ia . The IJ ad de d t ha t co rro bo rat in g ev id en ce “ wou ldha ve be enhe lp fu l” inli gh t o f th e weakne ss of B ob ok al on ov ’s te st im on y , bu t tha t h e h adfai le d t o p ro vi de su ch ev id en ce, an d h is tes ti m on y reg ard in g h is all eg edho sp it al st ay s l ack edsp eci fic de ta il ab ou t h is in juri es an d t he tre atm en ts he rece iv ed . On ap pe al , Bob ok al on ov arg ue d pr o s e th athe ha d t es ti fie d c red ib ly and , th us , hadest ab li sh edpa stpe rs ecu ti on . He ask edth e BIA t o g ran t h im asylu m or withh ol di ng of r em ov al un de r th e INA. The BIA st at edth atBo bo ka lo no v’s t es ti m on y was i ns uf

fic ie nt ly det ai le d, co ns is te nt , or b el ie vabl e to pro vi de a pl au si bl e an d c oh eren t ac co un t o f th e b as is fo r hi s fe ars an d, thu s, re qu ire d c orro bo rat in g e vi de nc e. It re ferr edto th e IJ ’s fin di ng of alac k o f de ta il inBo bo ka lo no v’s t es ti m on y ab ou t h is ho sp it al iz at io ns , in cl ud in g t he tre atm en t h e h adrece iv edan d t he in juri es he ha d s uf

fere d. Itfou nd th atth is cas t d oubton th e cre di bi li ty of hi s cl ai m th athe ha d s uf

fere d v io le nc e in th e p as t o r wou ldsu ffervi ol en ce i n the futur e. It fu rth er n ot edth e in co ns is te nc ie s be twee n the ori gi na l, h an dwr it te n app li cat io n a ndst at em en t, the typed supp le m en ta l s ta te m en t, the asylu m in te rv ie w, andth e te st im on y on ev en ts th at were ce nt ral to Bo bo ka lo no v’s cl ai m . In p art ic ul ar, i t n ot edth atBo bo ka lo no v’s

12or ig in al ap pl ic at io n c la im edon ly a fear o f returni ng to Tajik is ta n. Hi s

supp le m en ta l s ta te m en t p rimaril y di sc us se d afear

of r eturni ng to Tajik is tan, an d i t on ly brie fly m en ti on edhi s fe ar o f th e Ru ss ia n s ki nh ead s wi th ou t s ug ge st in g t ha t he ha d b een att ack edinRu ss ia . By co nt ras t, h e h adto ldth e as y lu m off ic er tha t h e was ph y si cal ly atta ck edby ski nh ead s 5 0 t im es . The BI A agr eedwith t he IJ t ha t i t was no t re as on ab le th atBo bo ka lo no v wo ul d h av e o m it te d i nf orm at io n abo utth e at ta ck s fr om

hi s s ta te m en ts si m

pl y be cau se he in te nd edto di sc us s h is fearinth e in te rv ie w andinhi s t es ti m on y . The BI A als o a gr eedth atitdi d n otsee m reas on ab le th atBo bo ka lo no v wo ul d h av e fai le d t o t el l ei th er the asylu m off ic er o r th e IJ th athe ha d d el ib erat el y om it te d a ll of t ho se de ta il s. Add it io na ll y , th e BIA fo un d t ha t Bo bo ka lo no v h adfai le d t o p res en t su ffi ci en t co rro bo rat in g e vi de nc e in supp ort o f hi s cl ai m . He hadno t p res en te d th e al le ge d n ews pape r art ic le ab ou t the att ackon hi s youn ge r si st er, co pi es of h is m ed ic al reco rd s, o r st at em en ts by his m ot he r an d o ld er s is te r, with wh om he was in co ns ta ntco nt act . Accor di ng ly, he ha d n otest ab li sh edeli gi bi li ty for as y lu m or withh ol di ng of r em ov al . Fin al ly, th e BIA co nc lu de d t ha t Bo bo ka lo no v h adno t sh own th athe was m or e li ke ly tha n n otto be to rtu redby or wit h the acqui es cen ce of th e Ru ss ia n g ov ern m en t. II.

13Abs en t a c og ni zab le ex cu se or e xc ep ti on , we lac k ju ris di ct io n t o re vi ew an

arg um en t u nl es s t he pe ti ti on er h as fir stex haus te d h is adm in is tra ti ve rem ed ie s. Se e Amaya -Art un du ag a v . U.S. Att orne y Gen . , 46 3 F .3d12 47 , 12 50 (11 th Cir . 20 06 ). Whe re the BIA ad dr es se s an is su e su a s po nt e th atwas n otrai se d i n t he ali en ’s no ti ce o f ap pe al or s up po rti ng bri ef, “ we can no t s ay th e BIA fu ll y

co ns id eredth e pe ti ti on er’s cl ai m s, as itha d n o o ccas io n t o a dd res s t he rel ev an t ar gu m en ts .” Id. at 12 50 -5 1. Acco rd in gl y , we lac k juris di ct io n t o re vi ew su charg um en ts . Se e id. Bo bo ka lo no v’s ap pe al to th e BIA ar gu edon ly tha t h e h adpro ve d h is cla im s fo r as y lu m

an d wi th ho ld in g o f rem ov al un de r th e INA. He di d n otsu gg es t tha t h e ha d s im il arl y

pro ve d h is eli gi bi li ty for CAT rel ie f. Ther efo re, h e fai le d t o e xh au st hi s ad m in is tra ti ve rem ed ie s wi th res pe ctto th e d en ia l o f CAT rel ie f. Se e Amay aArt un du ag a , 46 3 F .3dat 1 25 0- 51 . Alth ou ghBo bo ka lo no v a sk s u s t o d ep artfro m Amaya -Art un du ag a , we can no t d o s o u nl es s t ha t ca se is ov erru le d b y th e Supr em e Co urt o r by thi s C ou rt s it ti ng en ba nc . Se e De la Ros a v . U.S. Attor ne y Gen . , 57 9 F.3 d 1 32 7, 1 33 7 n .14 (11 th Cir . 20 09 ), cer t. d en ie d , 13 0 S .Ct. 3 27 2 (2 01 0) . Acco rd in gl y , we lac k ju ris di ct io n t o re vi ew hi s cl ai m forCAT rel ie f. III. W e rev ie w th e BIA’s d eci si on , exc ep t t o t he ex te ntth atth e BIA ex pr es sl y ad op ts th e IJ ’s op in io n o r rel ie s upo n h is reas on in g. Al Na jj ar v. Ash cr of

t , 25 7

14F.3 d 1 26 2, 1 28 4 (1 1t h C ir. 2 00 1) . Here, th e BIA wro te a se pa rat e o pi ni on th at

co nc urredwith t he IJ’s o pi ni onbu t d idno t re ly upo n i t. Thu s, we re vi ew on ly the BIA’s d eci si on . Cred ib il it y de te rm in at io ns are re vi ewedun de r th e subs ta nt ia lev id en ce t es t, Ch en v. U.S. Att or ne y Gen . , 46 3 F .3d12 28 , 12 30 -3 1 (1 1t h C ir. 20 06 ), un de r whi ch “ we vi ew th e rec or d e vi de nc e in th e li gh t m os t fa vo rab le to th e ag en cy ’s dec is io n a nddra w all reas on ab le in fere nc es infav orof t ha t d eci si on ,” Ade fe mi v. As hc ro

ft , 38 6 F .3d10 22 , 10 27 (11 thCir . 20 04 ) ( en ba nc ). “ W e m us t affi rm th e BIA’s d eci si on if i t i s s up po rte d b y reas on ab le , subs ta nt ia l, an d pr ob at iv e ev id en ce o n t he reco rdco ns id eredas awho le .” Id . at10 27 (qu ot at io n m ark s o m it te d) . “ W e wil l n otrev ers e u nl es s t he reco rdco m pe ls a co nt rary co nc lu si on .” De Sa nt ama ri a v . U.S. Att or ne y Gen . , 52 5 F .3d99 9, 1 00 6 (1 1t h C ir. 20 08 ). To es tabl is h e li gi bi li ty for as y lu m ba se d o n p as t p ers ecu ti on , th e ap pl ic an t m us t p ro ve (1) th athe was p ers ecu te d, an d (2 ) th atth e p ers ecu ti onwas o n a cco un t of a pr ot ect edgro un d. Id. at 1 00 7. To m eetth e m or e strin ge ntst an da rdfor withh ol di ng of r em ov al un de r th e INA, th e al ie n m us t s ho w th athi s “ li fe o r free do m wou ldbe th reat en ed ” in th e co un try of rem ov al on th e b as is of a pr ot ect edgro un d. Se

pu lv ed a v . U.S. Att or ne

y Gen . , 40 1 F .3d12 26 , 12 32 (11 th Ci r. 20 05 ). “ The ali enbe ars th e b ur de n o f de m on st rat in g t ha t i t i s m or e li ke ly tha n 15no t [h e] will be pe rs ecu te d o r to rtu redup onbe in g re tu rn edto [hi s] cou nt ry .” Id.

(quo ta ti onm ark s o m it te d) . An al ie n wh o c an no t m eetth e st an da rdforasylu m ge ne ral ly cann otsat is fy

th e h ig he r st an da rdforwithh ol di ng of r em ov al . Id. at 12 32 -3 3. Cred ib le , un co rro bo rat edtes ti m on y canbe su ffi ci en t t o s at is fy th e ap pl ic an t’s b ur de n o f pr oo f of eli gi bi li ty, whe reas anadve rs e cre di bi li ty de te rm in at io n a lo ne canbe su ffi ci en t t o s up po rt ade ni al of a sylum . Rui z v. U.S. Att or ne y Gen . , 44 0 F .3d12 47 , 12 55 (11 th Cir . 20 06 ). Once th e fac tfi nd er h as m ad e anadve rs e cre di bi li ty det erm in at io n, the ap pl ic an t b ears th e b ur de n o f sh owi ng th atth e fi nd in g was no t s up po rte d b y sp eci fic , cog en t re as on s o r was no t ba se d o n s ub st an ti al ev id en ce. Id. If th e ap pl ic an t p ro du ces ev id en ce i n a dd it io n to hi s o th erwi se in cred ib le tes ti m on y , th e fac tfi nd er h as a du ty to re vi ew th at ev id en ce. Id. The wea ke r th e ap pl ic an t’s t es ti m on y , th e g reat er the ne edfor co rro bo rat in g e vi de nc e. Y an g v . U.S. Att or ne

y Gen . , 41 8 F .3d11 98 , 12 01 (11 th Ci r. 20 05 ). W e m ay no t s ub st itut e o urjud gm en t fo r th atof t he fact fin de r whe n rev ie win g c red ib il it y

fin di ng s. Rui

z , 44 0 F .3dat 1 25 5. “ In di cat io ns of r el iabl e te st im on y in cl ud e co ns is te nc y

ondi rectex am in at io n, co ns is te nc y with t he writ te n ap pl ic at io n, an d t he ab se nc e o f em be ll is hm en ts .” Id. W e h av e h el d t ha t an 16adve rs e cre di bi li ty det erm in at io n was supp orte d b y subs tant ia l ev id en ce wh ere t he ap pl ic an t t es ti fie d i m

pl au si bl y as t o a tt ack s o n h is ho m e, th ere wer e num ero us in co ns is te nc ie s among th e as y lu m ap pl ic at io n, t es ti m on y , anddo cu m en ta ry ev id en ce, an d h e fai le d t o m en ti on “ a si gn ifi can t p artof h is cla im ” in hi s as y lu m ap pl ic at io n. D-Muh ume d v . U.S. Att or ne y Gen . , 38 8 F .3d81 4, 8 19 (11 th Cir . 20 04 ). Bo bo ka lo no v’s 2 00 3 a sylum ap pl ic at io n e xp li ci tl y

st at edth athe so ug ht as y lu m so le ly on t he ba si s o f rel ig io n, s pe ci fic al ly his Mu sl im he rit ag e. It a ll eg ed th at , as ares ul t o f hi s fa th er’s ref us al to fig htwith e it he r Mu sl im fact io n i n t he ci vi l war , th e fam il y

was p la cedon a li stof p eo pl e to be ki ll ed . He clai m edth at pe op le fro m

Tajik is ta n h adrece nt ly fou ndth e fam il y inRu ss iaan d re su m edth e at te m ptto ki ll th em . Inhi s 2 00 6 t y

pe d s up pl em en ta l s ta te m en t, Bo bo ka lo no v a ll eg edth athi s un cl e, Anv ar, was act iv e in th e o pp os it io n, an d i t was Anv ar’s p ol it ic al act iv it y th atcau se d t he fam il y

to be pl acedon th e en em ie s l is t. The typedst at em en t de sc rib edth e d es tru ct io n o f hi s g ran dm ot he r’s fo rm er h om e sh ortl y aft er the fam il y ’s eva cu at io n fo r th e cap it al , th e fam il y ’s eve ntua l fl ig htto Ru ss iafro m th e sp read in g c iv il war, an d h is pa ren ts ’ di ffi cu lt y insupp orti ng th e fam il y

inRu ss ia . The st at em en t b rie fly m en ti on edth at , inth e ci ty whe re h is un iv ers it y was l oc at ed , 17ag gr es si ve gro up s o f na ti on al is ts an d s ki nh ead s h adpo wer an d s up po rt, e sp eci al ly

am on g young pe op le , andth athi s s is te r was be at enat abu s s ta ti on inMay 200 5 be cau se on e o f th e atta ck ers bl am ed“ th is ki ndof p eo pl e” fo r hi s i nabi li ty to fi nda job . At the 20 09 asylu m he ari ng , Bob ok al on ov tes ti fie d t ha t An va r was act iv e in Tajik is tan p ol it ic s, an d t ha t h is fathe r he lp edAnv ar i n t ho se en de av or s. He d id no t m en ti on th e ci vi l warex cep t t o s ay , on cro ss -ex am in at io n, tha t h e co ul d n ot return t o Taji ki st anbe cau se two Ru ss ia n p eace ke ep in g d iv is io ns were s ho t b y Tajik is tan t ro op s dur in g t he war. He st at edth athe was a frai d t o re tu rnto Ru ss ia be cau se of the na ti on al is t g ro up s t ha t h adsu rfac edwhi le he was i n h ig h s ch oo l, whi chso ug htto pu rg e Cen tra l As ia n i m m ig ran ts . He sai d t ha t h e h adto go to th e ho sp it al at l eas t fi ve ti m es du e to ph y si cal alt erca ti on s wi th na ti on al is ts , andhe de sc rib edth e th ree “ m os t v iv id ” o f th os e in ci de nt s, al l o f whi ch oc cu rredwhi le he was inhi gh sch oo l o r jus t b efo re h e le ft f or un iv ers ity . He no te d b rie fly tha t the sk in he adgro up s h adgro wn i n c riminal it y an d p owe r aro un d t he ti m e h e wen t away to un iv ers it y . He des cri be d t he att ackon hi s youn ge r si st er as sp eci fic retrib ut io n fo r ha vi ng sec ur edth e in te rp ret er p os it io n o ve r ot he r can di da te s wh o happ en edto be sk in he ad s, an d h e cl ai m edforth e fi rs t t im e th athi s b ro th er h ad be enatt ack edforde feat in g ach es s o pp on en t wh o a ls o h ap pe ne d t o b el on g t o a 18na ti on al is t g ro up . He in di cat edth atbo th hi s b ro th er an d h is si st er s uf fere d s eri ou s in juri es th atrequi redho sp it al iz at io n. Oncro ss -ex am in at io n, h e m en ti on edforth e fir stti m e th athe was a tt ack edat t he un iv ers it y in20 02 an d was ho sp it al iz edfora m on th du e to a br ai n i nju ry . He des cri be d t hi s i nc id en t as th e m ai n re as on th athe to okpa rt i n the ex ch an ge pro gr am th atbro ug hthi m

to th e Uni te d S ta te s. Thu s, o ve r th e co ur se of t he si x- y ear app li cat io n p ro ces s, an d wi th in Bo bo ka lo no v’s t es ti m on y on th e d ay

of t he he ari ng , th e as se rte d g ro un ds forhi s as y lu m cla im an d h is ev id en ce i n s up po rt o f th atcla im ch an ge d d ram at ic al ly. His as se rti on th athe si gn edth e p aral eg al ’s workon th e o rig in al ap pl ic at io n wi th ou t read in g i t i s an unpe rs ua si ve ex pl an at io n fo r th e ap pl ic at io n’s co m pl et e fai lu re t o as se rt acla im

ba se d o n h is Tajikna ti on al it y or t o m en ti on an y

vi ol en ce b y

Ru ss ia n na ti on al is ts , in cl ud in g the 20 02 att ackth athe de sc rib edas h is m ai n re as on for le av in g t he co un try. It als o fa il s t o e xp la in th e ch an ge inth e p ur po rte d re as on s fo r hi s fa m il y ’s pre se nc e o n t he en em ie s l is t an d t he ir f li gh t t o R us si a, orto ex pl ai n why he d idno t m en ti on , at an y lat er p oi ntinth e p ro ceed in gs , th e p ur po rte d a tt ack on th e fam il y ’s Rus si anho m e b y Tajiken fo rcer s o f th e li st . Furt he rm or e, th e in co ns is te nc ie s among th e ap pl ic at io n, ty pe d s ta te m en t, an d t es ti m on y wentto is su es th atwere ce ntral to Bo bo ka lo no v’s cl ai m . Accor di ng ly, subs ta nt ia l ev id en ce s up po rts th e BIA’s fi nd in g t ha t Bo bo ka lo no v’s t es ti m on y was i nc red ib le . 19Se e Ch en , 46 3 F .3dat 1 23 0- 31 ; D-Muh ume d , 38 8 F .3dat 8 19 .

The in cred ib il it y

of B ob ok al on ov ’s tes ti m on y crea te d agre atne edfor co rro bo rat in g e vi de nc e. Se e Y an g , 41 8 F .3dat 1 20 1. He i nt ro du ceda co py of th e Co un try Repo rt, wh ic h g en eral ly veri fie d t ha t Ru ss ian n at io na li st s h av e en ga ge d in vi ol en ce t owa rdCen tra l As ian i m m ig ran ts , bu t h e d idno t i nt ro du ce an y co rro bo rat io n o f hi s p ers on al ex pe rie nc es . He st at edon ly tha t the ne wsp ap er rep ort ab ou t the att ackon hi s s is te r was av ai labl e o nl in e, an d tha t wh enhe ask ed fo r co pi es of h is m ed ic al reco rd s, h e was to ldth atth e arc hi ve s wo ul d n eedto be se arch ed . He di d n otex pl ai n wh y si x years h adbe enanin su ffi ci en t am ou ntof ti m e to pro du ce an y

of t ho se do cu m en ts , no r di d h e ex pl ai n wh y he fai le d t o o bt ai n supp orti ng st at em en ts fro m an y of h is fam il y

m em be rs . As Bo bo ka lo no v d idno t supp ort h is ap pl ic at io n wi th an y ev id en ce o th er than h is in cred ib le tes ti m on y an d th e g en eral de sc rip ti on of c ou nt ry co nd it io ns inth e Co un try Repo rt, the reco rd do es no t co m

pe l the co nc lu si on th atBo bo ka lo no v m ethi s b ur de n o f pr oo f of el ig ib il it y forasylu m

or wi th ho ld in g o f rem ov al . Se e De S an ta mar ia , 52 5 F .3dat 10 06 ; Rui z , 44 0 F .3dat 1 25 5; Se

pu lv ed a , 40 1 F .3dat 1 23 2- 33 . Fo r th e fo reg oi ng reas on s, we d is m is s t he pe ti ti on as t o t he CAT cla im an d de ny the pe ti ti on as t o t he asylu m an d wi th ho ld in g- of

-rem ov al cla im s. DISMI SSED I N PART AND DENIE D IN PART.

20