A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has condemned the remand of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, warning that his continued detention raises serious concerns about the use of the criminal justice system against political opponents.
Mohamed who leads We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), won nearly a quarter of parliamentary seats in its first election. He was remanded on Friday alongside Police Constable Ryan Greene, with both jointly charged with the unauthorised giving of electronic data.
Police allege that the constable took surveillance footage from the Command Centre, copied it to a flash drive and handed it to Mohamed in exchange for $800,000. Mohamed later released the footage publicly while challenging the official account of a shooting involving a senior police officer. None of this has been proven.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall has suggested that the alleged payment could be read as evidence tampering, which might invite further charges.
Magistrate Abigail Gibbs refused bail at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court, citing concern that the two men could commit another offence if released, and remanded them until 24 November. She said she weighed the prosecution’s objections, the defence’s arguments and the Bail Act 2022, and referred to the “mysterious nature” of the offences.
She also took into account Mohamed’s other legal matters. These include extradition proceedings and separate charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and attempting to obstruct the course of justice, for which he had earlier been granted bail.
In a statement issued on October 30, 2026, APNU questioned the refusal of bail on a cybercrime charge linked to the release of police surveillance footage, while accusing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government of eroding civil liberties and weaponising State institutions.
The partnership stressed that no one is above the law but insisted that Mohamed, like every accused person, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.
“Where allegations are made, they must be tested in a court of law and, if proven, the law must take its course. But the same law protects every person, with the presumption of innocence, due process and a fair hearing.”
Mohamed’s charge is non-violent, APNU noted, adding that his legal team maintains that it is bailable. The partnership questioned the grounds for refusing bail, citing the Bail Act’s requirement for evidence-based reasons to believe an accused is likely to commit another offence before bail is denied.
“Pending allegations are not convictions, and the presumption of innocence applies.”
APNU said the court’s reasoning deserves close scrutiny and expressed confidence that Mohamed’s High Court application would be determined independently and on the evidence.
The partnership also pointed to the case involving Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, against whom serious allegations have been made. It noted that the Police Force had initially sent Karimbaksh on leave pending an investigation, but subsequently rescinded that decision. APNU said the public had received no clear account of the investigation’s progress.
“Our concern is not whether one person is prosecuted or another spared. There must be one law, one standard and equal justice for all.”
APNU argued that the contrasting circumstances raise questions about consistency and accountability, insisting that the law must not be used to target political opponents while shielding individuals with access to power.
“The law must never be an instrument against political opponents, nor a shield for those who enjoy favour or proximity to power.”
The coalition accused the Government of using public safety, the prevention of unrest and the control of misinformation to justify restrictions on political activity and freedom of expression.
It called on the PPP/C administration to stop what it described as efforts to neutralise the Opposition, weaponise the police, restrict public protests and silence the media.
APNU warned that Mohamed’s remand must not become a precedent for imprisoning political opponents and pledged to challenge any abuse of the law.
“This will not be allowed to become a precedent for the PPP/C to jail its political opponents.”
The party said it would continue to defend the Opposition’s right to perform its constitutional role and the freedoms of all Guyanese, maintaining that democracy cannot be subordinated to the interests of any administration.
It concluded that impartial justice, the rule of law and equality before the law must remain non-negotiable.
