Last Updated on Friday, 30 October 2026, 23:37 by Written By Denis Chabrol
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Friday night said it was “deeply concerned” by the remand to prison of the Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed , following his latest arrest and charge.
In a carefully worded statement that remarked about his “several arrests in recent weeks”, APNU- whose largest coalition partner is the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)- did not openly criticise the prosecution of Mr Mohamed for allegedly violating the Cybercrime Act in relation to the police surveillance video footage that he played at a news conference earlier this week.
“Our position is that the laws of Guyana must be respected at every turn. No person, whatever their office, wealth or influence, is above the law, and APNU does not condone the breaking of it. Where allegations are made, they must be tested in a court of law and, if proven, the law must take its course,” APNU said. Mr Mohamed was arrested for in connection with operating a boat without the relevant permits for himself and the vessel; operation of a drone over President Irfaan Ali’s private residence at Leonora, West Coast Demerara; firearm and ammunition possession and attempting to pervert the course of justice by discharging a firearm nearby a witness in an extradition case.
No mention was made of 20-year old police constable Ryan Greene who was jointly charged with Mr Mohamed and was also remanded to prison. Police accuse him of actually downloading the surveillance video footage and selling it to Mr Mohamed for GY$800,000.
On the question of bail, APNU said the charge under the Cybercrime Act is non-violent, his legal team insists that it is bailable and that that political organisation hoped that the High Court would rely on the evidence in considering a bail application. “The Bail Act requires a court to have reason to believe, on evidence, that a defendant is likely to commit another offense before bail is refused. Pending allegations are not convictions, and the presumption of innocence applies. We believe the basis for the finding deserves close scrutiny, and we trust his High Court application will be heard independently and, on the evidence, alone,” APNU said.
APNU said the law protects every person, with the presumption of innocence, due process and a fair hearing. “Guyanese have freedoms protected under law, and those freedoms extend to all Guyanese. We will not stand silent while they are eroded,” APNU said.
Mr Mohamed’s We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) penetrated the APNU/PNCR support base in the September 2025 general and regional elections and became the main opposition party with 16 seats and APN 12.
