Members of Parliament in Guyana do not have immunity from criminal prosecution, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday, warning that sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohammed will face the law regardless of his political ambitions.
“If he thinks a seat in Parliament will protect him, he’s mistaken. There is no immunity here for criminal acts,” said Dr Jagdeo, who is also General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Dr Jagdeo told reporters during his weekly briefing at Freedom House that the government would not shy away from holding Mohammed to account, even if he enters the National Assembly. Mohammed, who has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged gold smuggling, tax evasion, money laundering, and corruption — allegations he denies — has recently launched his political party WIN to contest the 1st September elections.
Mohammed’s vast gold export business has long drawn scrutiny from regulators. Dr Jagdeo confirmed that multiple state agencies — including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission — are cooperating in an ongoing investigation that predates the election season.
“There may be people in agencies who will have to answer for collaborating with him. This probe won’t disappear after six weeks of campaigning. We are keeping it technical — not political — but when the time comes, there will be accountability. You can’t buy your way out of criminality,” he said.
Dr Jagdeo also addressed reports that individuals within the Guyana Police Force have leaked sensitive information to Mohammed.
“The police force as a whole is doing tremendous work. But there are bad apples leaking information to the Mohammeds,” he said, emphasising that the issue was not institutional but individual.
Responding to questions about potential legal action against Mohammed should he be elected, Jagdeo was resolute. “Guyana’s Constitution does not grant MPs immunity from prosecution. Unlike in other countries, here, you commit a crime — you face the music. If he wins a seat, so be it — but he can still be arrested, charged, and prosecuted. The people will judge,” he said.
