Guyan's Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed Released on GUY$100,000 Bail

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed was on Wednesday released on GUY$100,000 station bail after a “go-fast” vessel was intercepted on Tuesday night with several people on board.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) said that based on its records the “go-fast” vessel was being operated illegally.

“In relation to the recent detention of a fast craft reportedly owned by Mr. Azruddin Mohamed, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) wishes to clarify that, based on its records, neither the fast craft nor Mr. Azruddin Mohamed is licensed or otherwise authorised to operate,”  MARAD said in a statement.

In its statement, MARAD said that the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, pursuant to its mandate under the Defence Act “is empowered to enforce the provisions of every law relating to maritime safety and security.

“MARAD urges all owners, operators, and users of Guyana’s waterways to ensure that their vessels and operations comply with all applicable legal and safety requirements,” it added.

Mohamed and his opposition colleagues were reportedly returning to Georgetown from Region One after spending the day meeting with survivors and relatives of those who died in the July 18 MV Barima ferry tragedy, regarded as one of the country’s worst maritime disaster.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had in an earlier statement said that about 9:45 pm (local time), on Tuesday night a routine joint maritime patrol involving the Coast Guard and Police observed a ‘go-fast’ vessel entering the mouth of the Demerara River at a high rate of speed.

Police said the vessel was signalled by siren to stop but failed to comply, prompting a pursuit. It was subsequently intercepted at a wharf at Friendship, East Bank Demerara.

Police said three three persons, including Mohamed,  were found aboard the vessel, and five other persons, suspected to have travelled aboard the vessel, were observed at the wharf facility.

The police said also that during the pursuit,  officers reported observing a bag being thrown from the vessel into the Demerara River, but could not determine the contents of the bag or who threw it.

But in a statement, the Office of the Opposition Leader said that around 10.45 pm, members of the security forces arrived at the wharf at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, at Mohamed premises.

“At the time of their arrival, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mohamed, was seated aboard a privately owned vessel that was docked at the wharf, along with Members of Parliament Odessa Primus and Natasha Lewis. Members of Parliament Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Dawn Hastings-Williams, and Deon LaCruz were standing on the wharf.”

The statement said that permission was sought to search the vessel, but when asked under what authority or basis the search was being conducted, “the officer in charge stated that the officers had “reasonable suspicion” of illegal activity.

“What followed was a prolonged engagement during which the conduct of the officers appeared increasingly disproportionate and, in our view, raised serious concerns about the possible misuse of state authority and resources.

“The officers subsequently called for reinforcements, disconnected the vessel from the dock, and towed it to the Marine Wing of the Ruimveldt Police Station, where a search of the vessel was conducted,” the statement said, adding “nothing illegal was found on the vessel”.

It said that despite this, the police informed Mohamed that the vessel was being detained with the officers indicating that the relevant documentation for the vessel had not been produced.

“Upon leaving the facility, Mr. Mohamed requested documentation confirming the detention of the vessel. Instead, he was invited to sign a statement prepared by the police. Mr. Mohamed declined to sign the statement,” the statement said, adding that “he was subsequently informed that he was under arrest pursuant to the “Maritime Act”.

“We are deeply concerned that what should be a lawful and transparent enforcement process has instead evolved into an apparent attempt to harass, intimidate, and obstruct the Leader of the Opposition through the use of state power.

“If the authorities believe that an offence has been committed, they must identify the specific law, the specific provision relied upon, and the factual basis for the action being taken. The people of Guyana are entitled to know that the powers of the State are being exercised lawfully, proportionately, and without political interference.”

The opposition statement said that “this matter will be closely monitored, and all available legal and constitutional avenues will be pursued to ensure that the rights of the Leader of the Opposition are protected and that the actions of the State are subject to the rule of law”.