Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two of his workers were arrested and taken into custody early this morning following an incident near the Kitty, Georgetown home of the Head of the Special Branch Unit, Prem Narine.

In a statement this morning, the Guyana Police Force said it is investigating an alleged discharge of a loaded firearm with intent and possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence, following the incident which occurred on last evening at Barr Street, Kitty.

The Police statement said Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, Head of Special Branch, was at his residence when he reported that he observed a black Toyota Allion motor car bearing registration number PXX 5300 travelling slowly along Barr Street. The vehicle passed his residence before returning to the area a short while later.

The Police said the Special Branch Head reported that he heard what appeared to be a gunshot, and took cover. He said he discharged several rounds from his service firearm in the direction of the vehicle, which subsequently drove away.

The motor car was later intercepted at the junction of Vlissengen Road and Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, with three occupants identified as Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed, and two of his workers, Mario Mohamed and Eugene Thorne.

The three men were arrested and escorted to the Kitty Police Station.

The Police statement further indicated that a search of the motor car led to the discovery of a .32 Taurus pistol without a serial number, along with three live rounds of .32 ammunition. The three men were subsequently arrested in connection with possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.

The Police also stated that a .32 spent shell was recovered on the southern side of Barr Street, obliquely opposite the residence of the Special Branch Head, while four 9mm spent shells were also recovered.

The firearm, ammunition and spent shells were lodged pending ballistic examination, while CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed as part of the investigation, the Police statement said.

A number of gun shot damages could be seen on the car that Mohamed and his workers were traveling in.

In a live video broadcast that was being carried out by Mohamed’s sister on social media, the Opposition Leader repeatedly stated that there was an attempt on his life by the Special Branch Head, who he said fired gunshots repeatedly on the car he was in.

Mohamed reportedly claims that he and his workers were in the area to document what he sees as an abuse of state resources with a large police presence outside the home of the Special Branch Head.

During the live broadcast, Mohamed also claimed that the weapon found by the Police in the car was planted.

The investigations are ongoing.

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