Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, 18:30 by Writer
As defence lawyers for two United States (U.S.) wanted businessmen seek to make out a case that their extradition request was politically motivated, the chief police intelligence officer on Tuesday said he was unaware of any adverse statements by top elected government officials against Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed.
The head of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) special branch, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, told extradition proceedings being presided over by Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman that Mr Azruddin Mohamed is a national security threat.
However, he denied several questions and suggestions by defence lawyer Siand Dhurjon that he had heard.
In current and former British colonies, including Guyana, the police special branch is responsible for national threat assessments including those in politics, industrial relations and potential hotspots for agitation or protest.
The special branch agents also actively monitor positions being taken by political parties in the media and at political meetings.
While Mr Narine acknowledged under cross-examination by defence lawyer Siand Dhurjon that, as head of special branch, he keeps abreast with current events and happenings in the country, he said “I am not aware” that President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney General Anil Nandlall had made derogatory remarks about Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed, calling them criminals.
Mr Narine also said that he reads newspapers and news on social media “sometimes”.
“No” he added to whether he had never observed Dr Ali or Mr Jagdeo in the news making adverse comments against the Mohameds.
Already sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for alleged evasion of more than US$50 million in taxes on the export of more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold, the Mohameds are wanted by the US to face trial for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.
The police spy chief also said “I am not aware” of a statement by foreign affairs minister Hugh Todd that there was “collusion” between the Mohameds and now ousted President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro to do wrong things.
Mr Dhurjon sought to get the witness to concede that he was not telling the court the truth in the almost one-year long extradition hearings that have been punctuated by delays due to defence lawyers’ unavailability and a number of related court cases.
Dhurjon: You are not being honest with this court?
Narine: I am being honest with the court.
Dhurjon: You are very well aware of the statements vilifying the Mohammeds by our leaders in the government.
Narine: I am not.
Similarly, the Head of Special Branch said he was unaware that one of Mr Mohamed’s Jr platform was critical of the government of the day, but he knew that the businessman contested elections last year as an opponent of the sitting government and that his We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party had received 16 seats in the National Assembly.
