HGP Nightly News – Police have searched the Friendship home of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed as part of their reopened investigation into the March 2021 murder of Ricardo Fagundes, known as “Paper Shorts.”
The Guyana Police Force said ranks executed a search warrant at the East Bank Demerara property on Monday, July 20, after investigators received further legal advice.
“The warrant was granted by a magistrate after consideration of the information presented,” police said.
The force did not identify the property’s owner in its statement. Mohamed’s sister, Hana Mohamed, said during a Facebook livestream of the operation that the residence belonged to the Opposition Leader.
Police have not disclosed what officers were looking for, whether anything was seized or if evidence connected to the case was found.
A search warrant does not establish that Mohamed committed an offence. It means a magistrate was satisfied that the information presented by investigators provided a legal basis for the search.
Mohamed has previously faced public allegations linking him to the killing. He has repeatedly denied any involvement and has accused the government and senior police officials of trying to implicate him for political reasons.
He has not been charged in connection with Fagundes’ death.
Fagundes was shot and killed on Main Street, Georgetown, on March 21, 2021, shortly after leaving the Palm Court nightclub.
Investigators said two gunmen emerged from a white Toyota Fielder and opened fire before escaping. The suspected getaway vehicle was later found burnt at Swan along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
The high-profile killing remained unsolved for more than five years before police intensified the investigation in July.
Several people with current or former connections to Mohamed and his businesses have since been detained or questioned. They include former security guard Mark Richmond, former security manager Udoh Kanu, mechanic Satrohan Rajkumar, tint-shop owner Troy Singh and auto dealer Amarnauth Ramsook.
Their detention or questioning does not establish that they participated in the crime.
Richmond, Kanu and Ramsook were released on G$1 million station bail each after being held for questioning. None had been charged at the time of their release.
Rajkumar surrendered to police after a wanted bulletin was issued for him. Mohamed said Rajkumar was a mechanic who serviced his vehicles and worked with his racing team, but denied that the man had any connection to the murder.
Mohamed has characterised the renewed investigation as a politically directed “wild goose chase.” He alleged that former employees and business associates were being pressured in an attempt to construct a case against him.
Police have not provided a detailed public response to all his claims.
The force has also not disclosed the information that led to the latest detentions or Monday’s search.
The operation at Mohamed’s home marks a significant expansion of the reopened investigation. What it produced remains unknown.
Until police disclose evidence or institute charges, Mohamed and the other people questioned remain uncharged and entitled to the presumption of innocence.
