By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Following the dramatic recall of his arrest warrant on Monday, February 16, 2026, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed leveled serious allegations of political sabotage against the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and state security forces.
Speaking to reporters outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Mohamed claimed that his uncharacteristic lateness was the result of a coordinated effort to hinder his movement and damage his legal standing.
The “Slashed Tyres” Allegation
Mohamed revealed that his driver discovered that two tyres on the vehicle intended for his transport had been slashed shortly before he was due to depart for court. This, he claims, was a deliberate act of interference.
- Pattern of Incidents: Mohamed asserted that this was the second such occurrence; a similar incident reportedly took place several weeks prior, where a single tyre was slashed on a court day.
- Lack of Spares: He explained that while the previous incident was resolved using a spare tyre, the slashing of two tyres on Monday rendered the vehicle immobile and caused the 25-minute delay that triggered the warrant.
- Direct Accusation: Mohamed pointed a finger at the Special Branch of the Guyana Police Force, alleging they orchestrated the damage under political direction. “I suspect that the special branch… did this purposefully so I can arrive to court late,” he stated.
Claims of “Insurance Blacklisting”
Adding to his claims of victimization, the Opposition Leader alleged that he is being systematically blocked from insuring his fleet of vehicles.
- Refusal of Service: Mohamed contended that insurance companies across Guyana have been “instructed” by the government not to renew or provide coverage for his vehicles.
- Operational Impact: Because he cannot legally drive his own vehicles, he claimed he has been forced to rely on staff-owned cars, which he suggests made them easier targets for the alleged sabotage.
The Government’s Stance
While the PPP/C has not issued a formal response to these specific “tyre-slashing” claims, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has previously dismissed Mohamed’s narrative of political persecution. The state maintains that the extradition proceedings are a “state-to-state judicial process” triggered by a lawful request from the United States Government and are entirely independent of local political friction.
Current Legal Status
Both Azruddin and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, remain on GY$150,000 bail. The court has warned that any future lack of punctuality will result in the immediate forfeiture of bail and remand into custody.
Next Steps:
- February 18, 2026: The extradition committal hearing is set to resume, with the court expecting Nazar Mohamed to produce a verified medical certificate for his recent absence.
