‘This is not law, this is oppression’ – Nazar Mohamed

Jan 10, 2026 News

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…says Govt. has declared war on his family

(Kaieteur News) – Business magnate Nazar Mohamed, the father of Azruddin Mohamed, the presumptive Leader of the Opposition on Friday said that his family is being subjected to what he describes as “continuous, deliberate, and malicious political persecution,” allegedly orchestrated by the highest levels of the state.

The statement comes against the backdrop, that both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed are sanctioned by the United States and are currently facing extradition proceedings to answer to charges that include money laundering, gold smuggling, tax evasion and wire fraud.

In a lengthy and emotionally charged letter, Mohamed insists that what is unfolding locally has little to do with law enforcement and everything to do with political retribution.

He claimed that for the past two years his family and himself have been subjected to what he described as deliberate, continuous and malicious political persecution.

“Our Constitution does not permit the victimisation of citizens for political reasons. It does not allow the state to weaponise its institutions to intimidate, strip, harass and destroy the lives of an individual or family because of their political position and public standing. What is being done to us violates every principle of due process, equality before the law and protection from arbitrary state power,” he lamented.

The elder Mohamed pointed out that this persecution commenced after an article by Reuters on Mohamed’s Enterprise, referenced sanctions which were allegedly confirmed by a senior government source.

He stressed that from that moment the full weight of “state machinery was unleashed, not through lawful proceedings, but through coordinated punishment. While the investigation started with a well-known lawyer in collusion with local informants who are well known to us, it subsequently emerged with serious political overtures from the highest level of government and political foe.”

The elder Mohamed reminded that he and his son have endured sanctions, disruption of their consortium for the shore base, the immediate termination of foreign currency traders license and gold dealers’ license. There was also the non-renewal of gold mining land permits as well as quarry operational permits.

Motor vehicle insurances were also cancelled and there was the refusal to renew the fitness certificates for same. The businessmen were also refused the renewal of their Private Security Service license and all security service firearm licenses, as well as Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) operational licenses.

“Essential services were interfered with- even the supply of cooking-gas. Members of the disciplined services were victimized if they spoke with us or shook our hands and were transferred to unfamiliar territory with immediate effect if they extended any courtesy or kindness to us. These actions were not regulatory. They were retaliatory. They were ridiculous and undignified.

The deliberate arrest of my son, Azruddin Mohamed and myself, minutes before Jummah, the Friday prayer, a sacred obligation in Islam, was a calculated act of humiliation to shame and intimidate us. This was not policing; it was political theatre and a display of force,” the businessman said.

In the letter, the senior Mohamed said that the persecution extended beyond members of the Mohamed family, as political candidates, friends, supporters and even associates have been made targets, having their bank accounts closed and insurance policies cancelled.

The members of the Mohamed family have faced airport harassment, “unwarranted police stops and searches and constant surveillance from the Special Branch. Our vehicles are followed. Our movements monitored. Again, my Guyanese friends, this is not security, it is political intimidation.”

He said, “imagine the bullet proof vehicles which are over five years old and were used to transport and protect the same political players and their families, have now personally instructed all insurance companies in Guyana to terminate “with immediate effect” all insurance policies which cover the said vehicles.”

The businessman said several vehicles belong to his family were sold. The vehicles that are around five to thirteen years old were sold at giveaway prices and complied with all mandatory and regulatory processes to ensure successful transfer of ownership.

“…only to be served with a letter from Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) letter that they have decided to cancel all the newly issued registration. The GRA also issued a letter to the owner to have all bulletproof door glasses and windscreens from the vehicles removed,” he said.

However, Mohamed is arguing that this is a task that will prove impossible as the vehicles were custom designed with these features. In addition, he revealed that the employees of the authority with whom interactions were had in the process of having the request for transfers done assured them that there was “no block” or restrictions in GRA to deny or prevent the request for transfers, making it clear that they were not even familiar with some of the staff.

“Soon after, the GRA in collusion with the Guyana Police Force then arrested and detained for days those innocent GRA employees who processed the applications for motor vehicle transfers. I caution you, for Allah hates those who use their authority to oppress people. Even our property rights have been violated. Currently at Tuschen Public Road and Little Diamond, lands lawfully owned by us have been illegally occupied.

Excavators were installed, squatting was encouraged and political influence was used to legitimise trespass. This is ordered to happen even though we have our legal papers and transports proving ownership. When we sought police protection and made formal reports, the officers involved were disciplined and transferred. This is obstruction of justice. This is state-enabled lawlessness,” he added.

Mohamed said the action being taken against him and his family spells oppression while noting that it is also unconstitutional, as they are being treated as if they have no rights as business owners, political actors, or even as Guyanese citizens.

“Yet despite all of this, we remain peaceful. We remain lawful. And we remain resolute. We remain bound by duty to the people of Guyana who placed their trust in us. I now call on the people of Guyana to pay attention. This is bigger than one family. When the state can do this to us, it can do it to anyone,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Mohamed is calling on the international observers, the Caribbean Court of Justice, CARICOM heads of government, regional institutions, global news organizations, and the wider international community to take notes, as democracy cannot exist where the rule of law is selectively applied and the state’s power “has its overreach to a particular family.”

“History will remember this moment. And it will remind those who chose to abuse power instead of upholding the Constitution,” he warned.

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• Azruddin Mohamed, Law, Nazar Mohamed, oppression, victimisation

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