标签： Guyana

In a significant political development, the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party has formally requested the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, to convene a meeting for the election of the Opposition Leader. This move follows the swearing-in of WIN leader Azruddin Mohamed as a parliamentarian on Monday, November 3, 2025. Mohamed, who is currently on GY$150,000 bail pending a magistrate’s hearing regarding a U.S. extradition request for alleged wire fraud and money laundering, expressed confidence in his election as Opposition Leader. He emphasized that WIN is the primary opposition party and expects the Speaker to facilitate the process promptly. Mohamed expressed concern that the election did not occur during Monday’s parliamentary session, as he had anticipated. Historically, the Opposition Leader has not been elected at the first sitting of the National Assembly. WIN parliamentarian Tabita Sarabo-Halley confirmed that the party submitted a formal letter to the Speaker, signed by all WIN parliamentarians, urging the immediate election of the Opposition Leader in accordance with Guyana’s Constitution. Speaker Nadir acknowledged the request but indicated that formal notices would need to be issued, though the election could occur before the next parliamentary session. APNU parliamentary leader Dr. Terrence Campbell stressed the constitutional importance of the Opposition Leader’s role, expressing hope for a swift resolution. Meanwhile, Mohamed’s swearing-in ceremony was marked by a display of defiance, as he pumped his fist at the government benches, which included Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney General Anil Nandlall. Jagdeo later made a light-hearted remark about Mohamed’s ability to use parliamentary devices while facing extradition. Mohamed also revealed plans to nominate two individuals to replace APNU-backed Election Commissioners, though he withheld their identities. The WIN leader’s arrival in a Lamborghini, allegedly imported at a reduced declared price to evade taxes, further fueled controversy. Mohamed criticized the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) for appointing one of its members as Deputy Speaker instead of adhering to the convention of selecting an opposition member, accusing the PPPC of seeking a ‘one-state government’ and ‘full-blown dictatorship.’ APNU’s Campbell defended their decision not to support Sarabo-Halley, citing the PPPC’s majority as insurmountable.

A heated legal debate has erupted in Guyana over the granting of bail to individuals awaiting extradition, following the case of Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed, who are wanted in the United States for alleged financial crimes. Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon, representing the Mohameds, has challenged the claims made by Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, who argued that bail should not be granted to fugitives due to constitutional prohibitions. Mr. Dhurjon countered that the High Court, under the Fugitive Offenders Act, has the authority to grant bail, and cited Section 3(1)(b) of the Bail Act, which explicitly allows bail in extradition cases. The Mohameds were each granted GY$150,000 bail by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday, pending the hearing of the US extradition request. Mr. Datadin referenced Article 139(i) of Guyana’s Constitution, which permits the loss of liberty in extradition proceedings, but Mr. Dhurjon pointed to precedents where bail was granted in similar cases, including Junior Da Silva’s extradition proceedings earlier this year. He also highlighted Section 15(2) of the Fugitive Offenders Act, which grants magistrates the power to remand or admit to bail in extradition cases. Attorney General Anil Nandlall emphasized that the next step is for the State to disclose the US-provided evidence to the defense lawyers, ensuring a fair hearing. The Mohameds, sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in June 2024 for alleged tax evasion on gold exports, are set to return to court on November 10, 2025. Mr. Nandlall dismissed claims of political motivation behind the case, asserting that the government has engaged Jamaican lawyers to ensure impartiality.

In a significant legal development, prominent Guyanese attorney Sanjeev Datadin emphasized that Guyana’s Constitution explicitly prohibits granting bail to individuals arrested for extradition purposes. Speaking on Saturday, Datadin highlighted Article 139(i) of the Constitution, which permits the deprivation of liberty in extradition proceedings, underscoring its alignment with judicial consistency. Datadin, who is set to assume his parliamentary seat for the governing People’s Progressive Party, criticized Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman’s decision to grant GY$150,000 bail to Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, as “most unusual.” The Mohameds were arrested based on a U.S. extradition warrant. Datadin argued that bail’s fundamental purpose—ensuring a defendant’s return to court—does not apply in extradition cases, as no criminal charges are being heard in Guyana. He also dismissed the defense’s claim of filing a constitutional challenge as irrelevant to the bail issue. Article 139(i) of Guyana’s Constitution explicitly authorizes the deprivation of liberty for extradition purposes, reinforcing Datadin’s stance. The Mohameds are scheduled to return to court on November 10, 2025, to address charges of wire fraud and mail fraud. Attorney General Anil Nandlall clarified that the next step involves disclosing U.S.-provided evidence to the defense, ensuring the magistrate’s satisfaction with the extradition request. Nandlall also refuted allegations of political motivation behind the case, emphasizing the involvement of Jamaican lawyers to ensure impartiality. The Mohameds were previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in June 2024 for allegedly evading $50 million in taxes on gold exports.

The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party remains steadfast in its strength and financial stability, even as its leader, Azruddin Mohamed, faces potential extradition to the United States on charges of fraud and money laundering. WIN General Secretary Odessa Primus expressed unwavering confidence in the party’s resilience during a statement on Friday. She emphasized that WIN boasts a roster of capable individuals who have effectively engaged with supporters, ensuring the party’s continued influence. While acknowledging Mohamed’s popularity as the party’s most gravitated figure, Primus dismissed concerns about WIN’s future viability. WIN, which emerged as Guyana’s major opposition party just three months after its formation, secured 16 of 65 parliamentary seats in the recent elections, surpassing the People’s National Congress Reform-led coalition. Primus labeled the U.S. grand jury indictment against Mohamed as politically motivated and assured that the party’s finances would remain unaffected by his potential extradition. She clarified that Mohamed’s legal battles would not impact WIN’s resources, stating, ‘They are going to extradite Azruddin Mohamed, not his money.’ Additionally, Primus ruled out the possibility of the opposition leadership being assumed by other parties, such as the 12-seat APNU or the one-seat Forward Guyana Movement. Meanwhile, APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton refrained from speculating on WIN’s future support base if Mohamed is extradited. Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, were arrested on Friday following a U.S. extradition request tied to alleged wire fraud and money laundering linked to gold shipments and luxury car purchases. Both were granted bail and are set to return to court on November 10, 2025, for an extradition hearing.