Presidential Candidate for the “We Invest in Nationhood” party (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed is accusing the state of political prosecution after he was accused of attempting to obstruct the course of justice in a matter involving one of his party’s activists, Bradley Sampson, aka Doggie, and was held for hours at the Ruimveldt Police Station.

“This is a clear case of political prosecution, a clear case. I hope the Carter Center and all the different observers are taking note of what is going on,” Mohamed told reporters shortly after exiting the Ruimveldt Police Station today in the company of his Attorneys, Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva.

Mohamed, in the company of his attorneys, turned himself in at around 9:30hrs today, after a party of policemen showed up at his party’s campaign headquarters in Providence last night, and demanded to speak with him. He was reportedly not at the location at the time, and the police later left.

The Guyana Police Force, in a statement today, said a woman, who was reportedly assaulted by Sampson on Tuesday claims that she was “detained against her will” by armed security guards while at the campaign office on the East Bank of Demerara.

The Police said that the woman claimed she was “instructed” by Mohamed not to pursue the matter against Sampson, and was offered $500,000 to settle the matter.

But Mohamed has denied all allegations made against him. He told reporters, that he only reached out to the woman, to apologize on behalf of himself and party, emphasizing that he is completely against violence against women.

“No. No. Of course, not,” he said when asked about the allegations.

One of Mohamed’s Attorneys, Damien DaSilva said even if the allegations were true, settlements are not illegal.

“In cases where people reached out to the VC to settle a matter, that’s quite normal. But the allegation in this case is that he would have paid her $500,000 to not pursue the matter. Mr. Mohamed has denied all allegations at this point but I am saying, in cases, in which people reached out to the VC to settle before any legal steps are taken, that is quite normal,” Da Silva said.

One of the other Attorneys, Siand Dhurjon echoed similar sentiments, telling reporters that there is no real offence.

 “The allegation against him discloses really no known offence to law. The allegation, its length and breadth is that he allegedly offered someone money, $500,000 to settle a grievance with a third party. Now, there is nothing nefarious about that. In fact, across the length of this country, courts would encourage parties, y’all talk about it, y’all try to settle it,” he said.

Dhurjon said after claiming that it had received a statement from the complainant, the police, for hours, were unable to make any contact with the alleged complainant.

“We listened as the police called and called for three hours today. They called her phone, no answer. They went as far to go to her address, no luck. So, this is a woman, who the police claimed gave a statement, but here she is, she is unwilling today, to have a confrontation with my client,” he said.

The attorney said it is clear that his client is being targeted.

“We have never, in the history of this country, seen a government so shivering-ly afraid of one man. We have seen allegations of murder being pelted, we have seen allegations of rape being heaped, allegations of drug trafficking, tax fraud, gold smuggling. I mean there is no limit to the allegations, the lengths, the depths to which this government will go. It is frightening,” Dhurjon said.

Mohamed was released from police custody just before 1 o’clock this afternoon without any charges or bail being required. He has committed to making himself available to the police should the need arise.

Related posts:

Azruddin Mohamed denies claims of sexual assault of teen girl; Family sees accusations as political hit job Guyana Police Force issues Wanted Bulletin for NY-based political activist Rickford Burke Jordan calls out Nandlall for “political harassment and persecution of political rivals” in Court defense Police Force calls for tolerance of political views and choices