We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament Natasha Singh has urged supporters across Guyana to attend the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court at 9 a.m. on Friday as Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two members of his staff prepare to face criminal charges. Mohamed is also Leader of the WIN party.
Singh made the appeal on Thursday night during a protest outside the Kitty Police Station, where Mohamed, and his staff Mario Mohamed and driver Eugene Thorne remained in police custody ahead of their expected court appearance.
Acknowledging concerns among party supporters, Singh said their presence at the court would demonstrate solidarity with Mohamed as he confronts the charges.
“Our supporters are worried across the country,” Singh said, urging them to stand with the Opposition Leader.
She also criticised the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), alleging that the government would stop at nothing in its treatment of Mohamed.
“We know that the PPP government will not stop at anything, and we have to be strong at this time to show our support,” she said.
The three men are expected to face charges of unlawful possession of a firearm without a licence, unlawful possession of ammunition without a licence, and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The charges were read following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Background to the case
The arrests followed a late-night incident on October 12 near the Kitty residence of Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch.
Police reported recovering a .32 Taurus pistol without a serial number and three live rounds of ammunition from the vehicle occupied by the three men. Mohamed has disputed the police account, denied knowledge of the firearm and alleged that it was planted after their arrest. Those allegations have not been independently established.
The incident has attracted heightened political scrutiny because Narine is also a witness in the United States extradition proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
The defence has questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrests and detention, while WIN supporters have characterised the case as politically motivated. Those claims remain allegations and have not been established in court.
The court proceedings are expected to mark the next stage in the case. All three men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
