Wed Oct 08 01:40:32 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Azruddin Mohamed, a wealthy Guyanese businessman and newly elected parliamentary member, has been indicted in the U.S. on multiple charges including money laundering, bribery, and tax evasion. Despite the serious allegations, experts believe he will likely be able to serve in Guyana’s parliament until convicted. Mohamed claims the indictment is a politically motivated attack. He and his family business were previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for alleged gold smuggling and tax evasion involving bribery of Guyanese officials. The possibility of extradition to the U.S. is being considered.
**News Article:**
**Guyanese Politician Faces U.S. Indictment, But Expected to Remain in Parliament**
**Georgetown, Guyana – October 8, 2025** – Azruddin Mohamed, the newly elected parliamentary member and leader of the “We Invest in Nationhood” (WIN) party in Guyana, is facing serious accusations from the United States government. A grand jury in Florida has indicted Mohamed on 11 counts, including money laundering, bribery, tax evasion, and wire fraud. The indictment also names his father, Nazar Mohamed, on similar charges.
Despite the severity of the allegations, experts believe that Mohamed will likely be able to serve in Guyana’s parliament unless convicted in a court of law. According to Sherlock Isaacs, the Clerk of the Guyanese parliament, Mohamed is legally allowed to serve until a conviction is secured. The legal proceedings, including potential extradition, could take a long time.
The charges stem from an alleged scheme between 2017 and 2024, where Mohamed’s Enterprise allegedly reused boxes with official state revenue seals to ship gold, making it appear taxes were paid when they were not. They are also accused of bribing customs officials.
This is not the first time Mohamed has faced scrutiny. Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned him, his father, and their business for allegedly smuggling over 10,000 kilograms of gold from Guyana, evading over $50 million in taxes through extensive bribery schemes.
In his first public statement since the indictment, Mohamed dismissed the charges as a politically motivated attack by his opponents, claiming they were using “fear tactics”.
While it remains unclear whether Mohamed and his father will be extradited to the U.S., the possibility has been raised by high-ranking Guyanese officials, including the Vice-President.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within the Guyanese government, particularly in the oil-rich nation’s booming gold trading sector.
First Piper 