GRA explains dropping tax charges against U.S.-sanctioned Mohameds

Last Updated on Thursday, 6 November 2025, 20:08 by Writer

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Thursday said it dropped income tax charges against Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed because of the United States’ (U.S.) extradition request for them to face trial for alleged wire fraud and money laundering.

“In light of this extradition request and Government of Guyana’s decision to proceed with the said extradition request, and taking into account all relevant legal principles, including international comity, appropriateness and fairness, these charges were withdrawn and discontinued,” the GRA said in a statement.

The charges were “withdrawn and wholly discontinued” on Thursday morning.

The GRA said those charges were filed before the receipt of a request from the U.S. government to the Guyana government for the extradition of the Mohameds.

Meanwhile, the Mohameds’ lawyer, Siand Dhurjon, told Demerara Waves Online News that the charges were “destined to fail.” He said the withdrawal of the charges “will assist us in allowing us to focus on the central fight”.

The lawyer indicated that the State’s withdrawal of the charges signals that the government is bent on having Mr Azruddin Mohamed, the party leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).

If the government has withdrawn because they wish to expedite the extradition then it shows they have no genuine intent in recouping taxes or having justice be done – whether Mohamed is vindicated or convicted. Their only concern if that’s so is to send him away so they no longer have him to oppose them,” he said.

The GRA had on October 24, 2025 issued five summonses each for the Mohameds to appear in court to answer income tax-related charges.

Mr Azruddin Mohamed is also facing tax evasion and making a false declaration connected to the importation of his Lamborghini luxury car.

He and his father were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly evading more than US$50 million in taxes payable to the Guyana government on the exportation more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold.