Mohamed keeps extradition bail as government orders full probe into leaked police footage
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed kept his bail in the United States extradition case on Monday, after Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman refused an application to revoke it — on the same day the government announced a full-scale investigation into how police surveillance footage reached the public.
Bail ruling in the extradition case
Lawyers representing the United States had asked the Georgetown court to refuse Mohamed’s bail because of what they described as a pattern of alleged offences. Jamaican lawyer Herbert Mc Kenzie, one of the prosecutors for the United States in the extradition matter, pointed to several recent charges against Mohamed, including attempting to pervert the course of justice over an October 12 incident near the residence of Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, a police intelligence chief and a key witness in the extradition hearing.
Latchman rejected the application, ruling that pending or unconvicted separate charges were not sufficient to warrant revoking bail. The decision followed submissions from attorneys Roysdale Forde and Siand Dhurjon on Mohamed’s behalf.
Mohamed and his businessman father, Nazar Mohamed, are wanted by the United States under an 11-count federal indictment involving wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and a gold smuggling operation that allegedly evaded more than $50 million in United States taxes. The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice, Guyana’s highest and final court, dismissed an appeal by the Mohameds in July, clearing the way for the extradition proceedings to continue in Georgetown.
Government orders footage investigation
Separately on Monday, the government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, announced a full-scale investigation into the alleged unauthorised access to, extraction from, and disclosure of surveillance footage from the Guyana Police Force Command Centre.
In a statement, the ministry called the matter a grave concern to the wider national security services, saying it represents a serious threat to the confidentiality and integrity of Guyana’s law enforcement operations. The matter is now under police investigation, the ministry said, adding that political office does not confer immunity from investigation, just as political affiliation cannot be a basis for prosecution.
The ministry said it expects a comprehensive review of personnel, access controls, supervisory arrangements, and operational procedures at the Command Centre, to establish the extent of the breach, identify any failures of conduct or oversight, and ensure appropriate action is taken.
Prison Service answers solitary claims
The Guyana Prison Service also addressed claims about Mohamed’s conditions at Lusignan Prison, where he is on remand. The service said Mohamed was assessed on his admission on Friday, October 30, and classified as a high-profile prisoner through its Prison Management Offenders System, and that the classification informs decisions about his placement, accommodation, and level of supervision.
“It is a security and management determination and is not intended as punishment,” the service said.
The statement rejected claims by Mohamed’s sister, Hana Mohamed, that he was being subjected to inhumane or degrading treatment, including inadequate ventilation, continuous lighting, restrictions on exercise, and limits on contact with other prisoners. The service said Mohamed was examined by a medical officer and seen by a welfare officer on admission, that reasonable access to his family and communication has been facilitated, and that he was allowed to telephone his son ahead of the child’s birthday on Sunday.
Background: the footage case and the October 12 incident
Mohamed and Police Constable Ryan Greene were remanded to prison until November 24 after appearing at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court on Friday, October 30, on charges under the Cybercrime Act. The charge relates to the alleged unauthorised access to and disclosure of electronic data connected to national security. As the charge is indictable, neither man was required to enter a plea.
Police allege that Greene, who was attached to the force’s Command Centre, downloaded footage from the Safe City surveillance system and handed it to Mohamed in exchange for GY$800,000. That payment claim is a police allegation; Mohamed’s side has denied that any payment was made.
The footage at the centre of the case shows an October 12 incident outside the Kitty, Georgetown, residence of Narine. Mohamed has described the incident as an attempt on his life and has publicly screened surveillance video he says supports his account. Police have given a different account, saying Narine heard what appeared to be a gunshot as a vehicle passed his residence and fired several rounds towards it.
Mohamed, his driver, and a staff member were previously charged separately with firearm, ammunition, and obstruction-related offences arising from the same incident and were granted bail on those matters.
What happens next
Mohamed remains remanded until November 24 on the cybercrime charges, while the extradition proceedings continue in Georgetown and the government’s Command Centre review gets underway.
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