Dear Editor,
I have taken note of the latest allegations made by fugitive offender Azruddin Mohamed concerning my son’s lawful business activities. I reject these allegations unequivocally. They are false, misleading and unsupported by credible evidence.
Azruddin Mohamed continues to make wild and unsubstantiated allegations while serious allegations of misconduct involving him remain the subject of public scrutiny.
Last week, I issued a public statement addressing what I believe to be the reasons behind the continued attacks on my son. Rather than responding to the issues I raised or presenting credible evidence to substantiate the allegations, the same accusations have once again been repeated through social media and the public domain.
The public deserves to understand the background to this matter. It is my view that these attacks began after my son made the decision to pursue his own independent path. Since then, he has been subjected to repeated public allegations and attempts to damage both his reputation and his business. Despite these attacks, he has remained focused on conducting his affairs lawfully, professionally and independently.
My son’s business affairs are entirely separate and independent. Like every other citizen of Guyana, he is entitled to engage in lawful business activities without being subjected to harassment, intimidation or politically motivated attacks on his character.
All of my son’s mining lands were acquired through the lawful procedures established by the relevant authorities responsible for the allocation of mining properties. Those allocations were made by the competent agencies acting within their statutory authority, and his business operations are conducted within the legal framework governing the mining sector.
Every Guyanese has the right to apply for gold-mining properties, provided they comply with the law, pay the required fees and make the necessary investments. That right is available to all citizens on equal terms. My children have been engaged in medium-scale mining for several years. Their participation in the sector has been conducted openly and in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
It is also a matter of public record that fugitive offender and members of his family collectively hold mining rights over properties that exceed the combined holdings of all of my children. Yet, despite that fact, allegations continue to be directed solely at my family.
Azruddin Mohamed has alleged that mining properties connected to my children are being leased to foreign companies. That allegation is false. Significantly, despite making such a serious accusation, he has failed to identify a single foreign company or produce any evidence to support that claim.
If Azruddin Mohamed genuinely believes that any law has been broken by me or any member of my family, then the proper course of action is clear. He should submit whatever evidence he claims to possess to the competent authorities so that they can investigate and, if warranted, take the appropriate action. That is how the rule of law functions.
Repeated allegations made through social media, political platforms or public commentary are no substitute for evidence. Public accusations do not constitute proof, nor should they be used to convict individuals in the court of public opinion.
I remain committed to transparency, accountability and the rule of law. I have complete confidence in the institutions of this country and will not be distracted from my responsibilities by attacks directed at me or my family.
The Guyanese people deserve better than a relentless stream of allegations intended to inflame public opinion and distract from the issues that truly matter. They deserve facts, not speculation; evidence, not rhetoric; and responsible public discourse grounded in truth and due process.
I, therefore, urge the public to reject misinformation, insist on facts, and allow the relevant institutions to perform their functions independently and without political interference. The truth is established through evidence, due process and the rule of law, not through repeated public accusations.