The Government of Guyana and the Immigration Department are offering no explanation for the detention of five British Muslim men who were preparing to leave the country earlier this week.
The group – identified as Syed Miah, Muhammad Khubaib, Naieem Mohammed, Mohammad Rehman, and Usman Farooq – had been in Guyana for several days as part of a Caribbean visit. However, on Monday, while checking in at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to depart, they were held for more than 24 hours.
One of the men posted online about the ordeal, saying they were eventually released and allowed to board their flight, but were never told why they were detained. In an earlier post, he also complained that they were held in poor conditions with no information provided by authorities.
Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, who serves as Chief Immigration Officer, when asked about the matter a during a recent press conference., said he would provide details at a later time, but three days on, no explanation has been offered.
Other government sources have since suggested that at least one member of the group may have been on the travel watch list of another regional security service, and that this information was shared with Guyana. No further details have been provided.
When contacted, the British High Commission confirmed it has offered consular support to four British nationals in Guyana, noting it stands ready to assist United Kingdom citizens overseas at all times.