Police tussle with protesters

Oct 30, 2026 News

…as citizens demand reparations, release of Mohamed at King Charles’ reception

(Kaieteur News) – Protesters clashed with police on Thursday as citizens demand reparations from Britain for slavery and for the immediate release of Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed who has been detained by police over allegations that he bribed a policeman for surveillance footage.

Scene during the protest.

Demonstrators assembled at St. George’s Cathedral at 3 PM on Thursday before marching close to State House where police had erected barricades toward them off as well as for the wider security for King Charles who attended a reception there shortly after arriving in Guyana yesterday afternoon. The focal point of the afternoon’s turmoil centered on an alleged physical altercation involving Hannah Muhammad, political director for the WIN party (and sister of Azruddin Mohamed). Eyewitnesses and live broadcasts captured chaotic scenes as multiple male police officers moved in to apprehend Mohamed, sparking immediate outrage among the assembled crowds.

Demonstrators and opposition MPs at the scene condemned the police response as a breach of standard operating procedures. Protesters alleged that male officers used excessive force, handling Hannah Mohamed roughly against fences and vehicles before female officers were eventually brought to the scene. The incident triggered furious chants from the crowd, who accused authorities of transforming the Guyana Police Force into a partisan political tool.

Scene during the protest.

Speaking to the gathered crowd and livestream viewers, opposition parliamentarians and local leaders voiced intense outrage over the day’s events. WIN MP Dawn Hastings-Williams decried the state of national institutions, stating that the incident confirmed the country was in a profound state of crisis. “A young woman, a very vocal woman who is only asking for democracy, human rights, and justice to be observed in this country, was subjected to harassment,” Hastings-Williams told supporters. She emphasised that citizens retain a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and free speech, particularly during a high-profile state visit by King Charles, which she argued should have prompted a special sitting of the National Assembly to address national concerns.

MP Natasha Singh-Lewis similarly blasted the administration of President Irfaan Ali, condemning the police handling of Hannah as state-sponsored intimidation. “The incident that happened to Hannah today just confirmed that our country is in a very sad state,” Singh-Lewis stated, adding that citizens are being subjected to systemic political persecution.

Another, MP Janelle Sweatnam said: “We welcome the King. We thank him for being here. But there are urgent matters that need to be dealt with.” She criticised the breakdown in communication between the government and the opposition, pointing out that public servants and officials are frequently forced to resort to social media to air grievances regarding systemic issues, such as school violence and inadequate resources, due to a lack of cordial legislative engagement and the suspension of regular parliamentary sittings. Leola Narine, a local government commissioner and regional councillor from Linden, also addressed the demonstrators, sharing her own experiences with alleged political victimisation, including being demoted and transferred from her post as assistant REO for Region 10, and calling on public servants and citizens across the country to wake up and demand accountability. “Today could be me, tomorrow could be you,” Narine told those gathered.

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Azruddin Mohamed, Hannah Muhammad, King Charles, physical altercation, protesters, WIN Party

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