Opposition leader claims assault during custody after shooting arrest

Guyana opposition leader Azruddin Mohamed has claimed he was sexually assaulted by another detainee while held in police custody, following his arrest in connection with a shooting outside a senior officer's residence.

Mohamed, 39, was taken into custody on October 12 after gunfire occurred outside the Georgetown home of Special Branch head Senior Superintendent Prem Narine on Barr Street, Kitty. He was held alongside 25-year-old Mario Mohamed and 35-year-old Eugene Thorne.

According to reports, Mohamed called out for assistance from his cell before officers responded. He then told police that an inmate in the same cell had attacked him. He was transported to hospital for medical care, though details of his injuries were not disclosed.

Mohamed's legal representative, Siand Dhurjon, stated that his client denies involvement with a.32 Taurus pistol recovered from under the accelerator pedal of a vehicle at the scene. Dhurjon contended the weapon was placed there and that gunfire came from their vehicle instead. Police are examining allegations of discharging a loaded firearm with intent to injure and unlicensed firearm possession. No charges had been filed against Mohamed as of October 15.

Dhurjon rejected the assault allegations, asserting they lack foundation and that his client faces only an assault charge. Mohamed's party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), characterised the matter as part of an ongoing government campaign targeting the group.

Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, are sought by US authorities on allegations of defrauding financial institutions through gold export schemes. Both have rejected those claims. Senior Superintendent Narine is scheduled to provide testimony in the related US extradition proceedings. As of October 16, neither the Guyana Police Service nor WIN had issued formal statements on the custody assault allegations.