On 11 November 2009, human rights defenders Mr Bahtiyor Hamrayev and Mr Mamir Azimov were beaten by police in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan, reportedly because they met with Mr Bahodir Choriyev, the leader of the Birdamlik (Solidarity) Movement. Bahtiyor Hamrayev is head of the Jizzakh Region branch of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU). Mamir Azimov is the Chairperson of the HRSU's Jizzakh district branch. Bahodir Choriyev recently returned to Uzbekistan after spending time in exile in the United States. The Birdamlik Movement aims to peacefully change the regime of President Islam Karimov in Uzbekistan.