The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) has accused the government of escalating what it described as a sustained campaign of political persecution against its leader and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed after police seized his remaining legally licensed personal firearms during an operation at his private residence earlier today
In a sharply worded statement, WIN said several police vehicles arrived at Mohamed’s home and removed what the party described as the last personal security weapons available to him and his family.
“This morning, on this historic Indian Arrival Day, van loads of police arrived at the private residence of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed on orders by the PPP government,” WIN said.
The party claimed the operation effectively removed Mohamed’s ability “to protect himself and his family.”
The latest action comes amid mounting legal and political pressure on Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, who are both facing extradition proceedings to the United States following a U.S. indictment unsealed in Florida in late 2025.
The father and son face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and tax-related offences tied to their gold trading business, Mohamed’s Enterprise. U.S. prosecutors allege the scheme involved fraudulent customs declarations and gold exports, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in tax losses.
Their extradition proceedings remain active in Guyana’s courts, with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) recently reserving its decision on related legal challenges after lower courts dismissed attempts to halt the process.
The legal pressure follows sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024 against the Mohamed family and their businesses for alleged corruption, tax evasion, and gold smuggling.
WIN claims those sanctions are now being selectively used as a tool for political targeting.
According to the party, police in March 2025 seized approximately 70 firearms tied to the Mohamed family’s business security operations.
WIN alleges those weapons were used to secure homes, business compounds, and operational facilities.
The party also claimed the earlier seizures followed Mohamed’s refusal to comply with repeated requests from President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to publicly state he would not contest the 2025 elections.
The government has not publicly addressed that allegation.
According to WIN, the five firearms seized today were personal, legally licensed, and had remained compliant with local firearm regulations.
“The only remaining firearms were five personal, legally licensed weapons maintained for the protection of the family, fully compliant, with no breaches or issues in over 40 years,” the statement said.
WIN also linked today’s seizure to earlier actions by the state, including the confiscation of several luxury vehicles belonging to Mohamed, which later became the subject of legal proceedings.
The party claims the government lost those matters in court, at significant cost to taxpayers.
The latest police action comes just one day after Mohamed conducted a political outreach in Bartica in his capacity as Opposition Leader.
WIN said the vehicle in which he travelled—though not owned by him—was clamped at the Parika Stelling despite all documentation being in order.
The party framed that incident as part of what it described as increasing pressure by the state.
“This reflects the level of pressure being applied by the PPP Government weaponizing the police force in sustained political persecution,” WIN said.
According to the party, police presented a letter citing the OFAC sanctions as the legal basis for Monday’s seizure.
But WIN questioned what it called selective enforcement.
“The letter shown by the police indicates the OFAC sanctions as the reason for the seizure. However, it must also be noted that several other OFAC-sanctioned individuals have not been subjected to similar measures. Their firearms remain untouched.”
The party argued that the removal of Mohamed’s final licensed firearms leaves him vulnerable at a time when political tensions remain high and his legal battles continue.
“And now, on Arrival Day, even the last remaining licensed firearms forming part of his personal security have been removed, leaving him publicly expressing fear for his safety.”
Mohamed emerged as one of the most disruptive political figures in Guyana’s 2025 elections, with WIN securing 16 parliamentary seats and breaking the traditional dominance of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress/A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU)
Despite his rise to the constitutional office of Opposition Leader, his legal troubles have continued to intensify.
WIN maintains that the state’s actions are politically motivated rather than legally neutral.
“The conclusion is unavoidable: state power is being directed, not applied neutrally in clear and direct political persecution.”
The party ended its statement with a stark warning, invoking the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy as a reminder of the risks faced by exposed political figures.
“The assassination of President John F. Kennedy stands as a permanent reminder of how quickly things can turn, and when a political figure is left exposed, they become vulnerable and at risk from what desperate people are capable of.”
Up to press time, neither the Guyana Police Force nor the government had publicly responded to WIN’s allegations.
