This March will mark one year since authorities imprisoned Bahram Hemdemov for holding a peaceful religious meeting in his home in Turkmenabad, Turkmenistan. On March 14, 2015, police raided his home and took him into custody, after which he was severely beaten, sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, and sent to the Seydi labor camp.

Turkmenistan’s Constitution guarantees the right to “practice any religion alone or in association with others” and the right to “freedom of conviction and the free expression of those convictions.” However, Bahram remains in prison under harsh conditions for merely practicing his faith. Jehovah’s Witnesses respectfully ask that he be released.