Opinion ID: 2973555
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Implausibility of Sterkaj’s Claim

Text: First, the IJ found it implausible that Albanian law enforcement authorities would detain and beat Mr. Sterkaj for merely supporting (as opposed to being a member of) the DP. Although the country-conditions reports do not contradict Mr. Sterkaj’s claim of political persecution, they “expressly state[] that there has been little to no political persecution in Albania since the collapse of the communist regime in 1990 . . . and note[] that even ‘during the dark days of 1997’ all parties were able to participate in politics without mistreatment.” Sulollari v. Gonzales, No. 04-4237, 2005 WL 3275500, at  (6th Cir. Dec. 5, 2005). Viewing Mr. Sterkaj’s claim in light of these reports, we find the IJ’s skepticism about the arrest and beatings reasonable; the record evidence does not compel a contrary conclusion.