Bakhrom Khamroyev

Bakhrom Khamroyev (Uzbek: Хамроев Бахром Мардонович, also Khamroev; born 1963/64)^[1] is an Uzbekistan-born lawyer and human rights defender. On May 23, 2023, a Russian court sentenced him to 14 years in prison on charges of terrorism for Facebook posts.^[1][2][3] He was previously a member of Memorial.^[1]

Bakhrom Khamroyev
head of Yordam, a human rights organization
Personal details
Born	1963 or 1964 (age 60–61) Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union (now Russia)

Khamroyev was born in Uzbekistan. He is known for providing legal assistance in Russia to labor migrants from Central Asia.

In September 2016, the Federal Security Service (FSB) conducted a raid at his home. All of his technical equipment and documents were confiscated. Khamroyev was detained and interrogated at the FSB headquarters.^[4]

On February 24, 2022, the day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Khamroyev was again detained.^[1][3] In May 2023, he was sentenced to 14 years for "online calls for terrorism and organizing a terrorist group's activities". According to Memorial, Khamroyev is being persecuted for his consistent human rights activities.^[5]

In January 2024, prison authorities in Vladimir Central Prison subjected him to physical violence.^[6][7]

Khamroyev used to come to court proceeding with posters protesting the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the persecution of dissidents.^[8]

I used to dream that my beloved Uzbekistan would overthrow the dictator Karimov and at least gain the freedom it had in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Today, Russia has sadly outdone Karimov's dictatorship and resembles 1937 or worse with its repressions. I am sure this monstrous lawlessness that prevails in Russia will not last long and all innocent political prisoners will be released and rehabilitated

— Bakhrom Kamroyev^[9]

References

1. Times, The Moscow (2023-05-24). "Russia Jails Migrants' Rights Activist 14 Years for 'Terrorism'". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
2. "Human rights activist Bakhrom Khamroev sentenced to 14 years in prison for 'justifying terrorism'". Meduza. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
3. "Bakhrom Khamroev". United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
4. "Status: House raid". Frontlinedefenders. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
5. "Russian Rights Defender Khamroyev Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison". RFE/RL. 2023-05-24.
6. "Bakhrom Khamroev faces harassment and physical violence in prison". Frontlinedefenders.org. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
7. Current Time. "Imprisoned Russian Rights Defender Reportedly Beaten In Custody". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
8. ""I am sure this monstrous lawlessness won't last long." The story of a migrant rights defender sentenced to 14 years in prison". OVD info. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
9. ""I am sure this monstrous lawlessness won't last long." The story of a migrant rights defender sentenced to 14 years in prison". OVD info. Retrieved 26 February 2024.