Azruddin Mohamed Sworn In As Guyana MP Regardless of U.S. Sanctions, Indictment And Extradition Case

Information Americas, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Mon. Nov. 3, 2025: Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed, chief of the We Put money into Nationhood (WIN) celebration, was sworn in on Monday as a Member of Parliament (MP) in Guyana, regardless of being beneath U.S. sanctions, a felony indictment and an lively extradition request from the USA.

The swearing-in happened through the opening of Guyana’s thirteenth Parliament on the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. All members, together with these from each the federal government and opposition benches, took their oaths of workplace in what WIN described as a “historic” second.

It’s the first time a U.S.-sanctioned and indicted particular person accused of gold smuggling, cash laundering and customs fraud has entered the Nationwide Meeting.

A Defiant Arrival

Mohamed made a grand entrance to Parliament in a Lamborghini, the identical luxurious automotive that U.S. investigators allege was a part of a multimillion-dollar tax evasion and gold smuggling scheme. Witnesses mentioned the car’s engine was revved loudly upon arrival.

As a Muslim, Mohamed took his oath on the Qur’an, sustaining his composure as cameras flashed. However his presence within the chamber sparked unease amongst lawmakers and authorized observers who questioned how a person dealing with such severe allegations may now sit as a legislator.

Authorized and Political Reactions

Dr. Terrence Campbell, chief of the APNU parliamentary workforce, urged Mohamed to “respect Westminster conventions,” which historically require politicians dealing with felony proceedings to resign or step apart pending the result of their instances.

Mohamed’s WIN celebration secured 16 of the 29 non-government seats within the new Parliament – positioning him because the presumptive Opposition Chief as soon as administrative formalities are full. Nonetheless, his elevation comes as he and his 73-year-old father, Nazar Mohamed, proceed to face extradition proceedings in native courts.

Each males had been arrested in Georgetown final Friday following an extradition request from the U.S. Division of Justice, which has charged them with wire fraud, mail fraud, cash laundering, conspiracy, and customs violations linked to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme.

The pair are at present out on GUY$150,000 bail every, have surrendered their passports, and should report weekly to the police.

Authorized consultants have dismissed hypothesis that Mohamed’s parliamentary standing may defend him from extradition.

U.S. Prices and Sanctions

Mohamed and his father had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Workplace of International Belongings Management,(OFAC) in 2024 for alleged involvement in tax evasion, trade-based cash laundering, and gold smuggling. The U.S. indictment, unsealed final month, particulars how the Mohameds allegedly evaded export taxes and royalties on over 10,000 kilograms of gold, falsified customs declarations, and tried to ship US$5.3 million in undeclared gold by Miami Worldwide Airport.

The case has positioned Guyana’s anti-corruption and monetary transparency efforts beneath the worldwide microscope. Diplomatic sources point out that the U.S. is intently monitoring the scenario following Mohamed’s swearing-in.

The Street Forward

Because the WIN celebration makes an attempt to consolidate its affect in Parliament, Mohamed faces an uphill authorized battle that might finish with extradition to Florida to face trial.

For now, the self-styled “easy miner” continues to mission confidence, flashing his trademark smile behind sun shades and claiming political persecution.