Aubrey Norton, the leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), has publicly criticized Azruddin Mohamed, the leader of the opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). Norton claims that Mohamed has entered politics primarily to avoid extradition to the United States, where he faces allegations of financial crimes. In an interview on KAMSTV, a pro-opposition social media platform, Norton stated, “Mohamed’s interest here is to ensure that he isn’t extradited. We don’t have an interest in that. We have an interest in promoting the development of the people of Guyana.”
Similar assertions have been made by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) regarding Mohamed’s political motivations. Both Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, have been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for allegedly smuggling over 10,000 kilograms of gold and defrauding the Guyana government of more than US$50 million in taxes. A Grand Jury has indicted them on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering related to their gold trading operations.
The extradition proceedings against the Mohameds have been stalled for several weeks, awaiting a decision from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) regarding the legitimacy of the Authority To Proceed, which is being challenged on the grounds of political motivation based on statements made by government officials.
Norton expressed skepticism about Mohamed’s intentions, stating that he views Mohamed and the government as aligned in their objectives, which he believes prioritize self-interest over the welfare of the Guyanese people. He questioned the legitimacy of Mohamed’s wealth and criticized his donations to citizens, suggesting that they are overshadowed by the alleged financial misconduct. Norton remarked, “You are accused of depriving this country of billions of dollars that can impact the lives of the people of this country.”
Since its establishment, WIN has attracted several former PNCR members and secured 16 out of 65 parliamentary seats, positioning itself as the main opposition party in Guyana. The PNCR, led by Norton, won 12 seats, while the Forward Guyana Movement, led by a breakaway PNCR member, holds one seat. Norton acknowledged the need for financial resources to effectively challenge the ruling PPPC, which holds 36 seats, and emphasized that the PNCR’s focus is on the development of Guyana rather than personal interests.
Source: demerarawaves.com
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