Guyana arrests incoming opposition leader following US extradition request | World News

Azruddin Mohamed was expected to be elected incoming opposition lawmakers as their leader on Monday when Parliament reconvenes for its first sitting. (Photo: X/@WINGuyana)

Authorities in Guyana have arrested the South American country’s incoming opposition leader following an extradition request from the US government.

Azruddin Mohamed, one of Guyana’s wealthiest citizens, was recently indicted a federal grand jury in Florida on charges including money laundering, bribery, tax evasion and wire and mail fraud.
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Mohamed is the leader of the We Invest in Nationhood party, which won 16 of the 65 parliamentary seats in the Sept 1 general election.

He appeared in court Friday and was later released on $750 bond and ordered to return to court in early November for a second extradition hearing.

Also arrested and released on bond on Friday was his father, Nazar Mohamed, who faces the same accusations.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall said authorities were acting on a formal request from the US for their extradition.

One of the Mohameds’ attorneys, Siand Dhurjon, said some of the offenses “are not extraditable offences under the laws of our land or even the extradition treaty” that Guyana has.

Last year, the US Treasury Department sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, his father and his family business for allegedly smuggling more than 10,000 kg of gold to the US from Guyana, and evading more than $50 million in taxes.

Azruddin Mohamed was expected to be elected incoming opposition lawmakers as their leader on Monday when Parliament reconvenes for its first sitting.

The case has underscored persent government corruption in the oil-rich South American nation.