Guyanese businessman facing US extradition elected opposition leader | Guyana
A Guyanese businessman who faces extradition to the United States on gold smuggling and money laundering charges has been elected the country’s opposition leader, six months after founding a political party that quickly became the South American country’s second largest party.
Azruddin Mohamed, 38, has been confirmed as Guyana’s opposition leader after 16 MPs from the We Invest in Nationhood party (Win) and another MP from single-seat unions voted in his favour. The calculation made Win the second-largest party in parliament and ensured Mohammed’s election even as the magistrates’ court heard state arguments for his extradition to the United States.
Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, were indicted in Florida last year on federal charges related to gold smuggling and money laundering.
The indictments come a year after the US treasury department imposed sanctions on the duo for allegedly smuggling more than 10,000 kilograms (22,000 pounds) of gold from Guyana into the US and evading more than $50 million in taxes.
The case highlighted ongoing government corruption in the oil-rich South American country.
The family was among Guyana’s largest buyers and exporters of gold. They also operate one of the most successful currency exchanges and have extensive real estate assets. Authorities closed all businesses and commercial bank accounts after the sanctions were announced.
Monday’s brief session, attended only by opposition lawmakers, took place amid mounting pressure from western countries and civil society groups that accused officials of delaying the convening of a parliamentary session to allow him to be elected. Until Monday, parliament had met only once since its dissolution in July ahead of the September general election.
Referring to the possibility that he and his father could be extradited, Muhammad said, “A person is innocent until proven guilty.”
He claimed that efforts to exile him had a lot to do with WIN’s successful opposition to the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), saying “that’s why they’re fighting me.”
“I announced my candidacy on behalf of the people of this country,” he told reporters outside the parliament, “The people asked me. If I had not participated in this election, I would not have any court problems. “I am ready to serve the people of this country,” he said.
Manzoor Nadir, speaker of the House of Representatives, publicly expressed his dismay at Mohammed’s election, describing himself as “in a difficult situation” having to oversee the appointment of a fugitive as the country’s opposition leader. He nevertheless presided over Monday’s brief session and eventually congratulated Muhammad on his victory.
