Guyana gov't says ‘full force of law’ will apply after shooting incident involving opposition leader
Key Points(5)
- The Guyanese government says the “full force of the law” will be applied following an incident involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who was arrested along with two other men after gunshots were reportedly fired near the home of a senior police officer.
- In a statement Tuesday, the government said Mohamed and the two men were allegedly filming the home of Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine on Barr Street in Kitty around midnight Monday.
- According to the statement, the men were traveling in a dark-colored car with heavily tinted windows when gunshots rang out from the vehicle.
- Spent shells were subsequently found on the road near Narine’s home, the government said.
- Narine reportedly opened fire on the car with his service handgun, triggering a chase involving law enforcement officers.
The Guyanese government says the “full force of the law” will be applied following an incident involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who was arrested along with two other men after gunshots were reportedly fired near the home of a senior police officer.
In a statement Tuesday, the government said Mohamed and the two men were allegedly filming the home of Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine on Barr Street in Kitty around midnight Monday.
According to the statement, the men were traveling in a dark-colored car with heavily tinted windows when gunshots rang out from the vehicle. Spent shells were subsequently found on the road near Narine’s home, the government said.
Narine reportedly opened fire on the car with his service handgun, triggering a chase involving law enforcement officers. The vehicle was intercepted, with Mohamed found in the back seat and the two other men in the front, according to the statement.
An unlicensed firearm was allegedly found in the vehicle. The three men were arrested and remain in police custody, the government said.
The government also linked the incident to Mohamed’s ongoing extradition proceedings, in which Narine is a key witness. The senior police officer is currently testifying in the case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
According to the government, Mohamed’s Facebook page previously published photographs of Narine and his family, including his minor son, alongside President Irfaan Ali. The statement said Narine had told the court under oath that he feared for his life and his family’s safety.
The government further said Narine had testified that Mohamed posed a threat to national security and was implicated in several killings, based on information obtained by the Guyana Police Force. These remain claims attributed to the government’s statement.
The government warned that the incident could have implications beyond Guyana, particularly for the safety of witnesses in the extradition proceedings and any subsequent criminal trial in the United States.
Mohamed’s extradition proceedings in Guyana are preliminary to a potential trial in the United States, where he could face criminal proceedings if extradited.
“The State has a duty to protect its justice system from interference and perversions,” the government said, adding that witness safety was essential to the administration of justice.
It said investigations by law enforcement agencies were ongoing and that the U.S. Department of Justice was being kept informed of the developments.
The statement did not detail the specific charges, if any, laid against Mohamed or the two other men in connection with Monday night’s incident.
