“This is not right” – Magistrate blasts social media posts with witness’s child

US extradition request for Mohameds
…“I think it’s a tactic to make me afraid or intimidated” – Cop tells court

Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday urged those involved in the ongoing extradition proceedings against United States (US)-sanctioned and indicted Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, to keep children and spouses away from social media exchanges surrounding the case. The warning followed Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine’s report to the court about Facebook posts featuring a photograph of Narine, President Dr Irfaan Ali, Narine’s wife and his 11-year-old son, accompanied by what he described as a derogatory comment.

Narine, head of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Special Branch Unit, said the post was brought to his attention during the lunch break while he was giving evidence in the proceedings. He told the court that the publication contained what he considered a derogatory comment and was intended to intimidate him because of his testimony. Narine said he was particularly troubled by the inclusion of his son, whose face was visible in the photograph. “I think it’s a tactic to make me afraid or intimidated, which I am somewhat intimidated because my 11-year-old is defenceless in the public. He goes to a public school,” he said. Narine said the photograph had previously been circulated with his son’s face blocked, but that was not the case with the latest publication. The post was made from the “Hana Khamelia” Facebook account, which has been publicly associated with Hana Mohamed, the sister of US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and daughter of Nazar Mohamed. A similar post was subsequently shared on a Facebook page bearing the name “Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the Opposition – Guyana.”
When asked about the publication, Defence Attorney Siand Dhurjon said he had no knowledge of it. Dhurjon said it would be unfortunate for children or spouses to become involved in what he described as the political fray. He maintained, however, that any question of wrongdoing or liability arising from the post should be dealt with through the courts. Chief Magistrate Latchman then made clear her concern was the involvement of innocent family members.

“This is not right”
She said, “These children have schools to go to, have classes to attend. This is not right to do that.” She added that social media posts could affect children and spouses, who should be kept out of the matter. “These are innocent people in this matter. So, whoever’s doing that needs to stop it,” Latchman said. The Chief Magistrate has previously addressed social media activity connected to the extradition proceedings. She had previously warned Hana Mohamed against making posts concerning the case after Narine and Prosecutor Glenn Hanoman raised concerns about material posted from the “Hana Khamelia” account.
Defence Attorney Siand Dhurjon concluded his cross-examination of Narine on Tuesday, bringing his questioning of the Special Branch Unit head to an end after several days. Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde then took over the cross-examination and began questioning Narine on behalf of the defence. Narine’s cross-examination will continue when the extradition proceedings resume on October 21 at 13:30h, with the court scheduled to sit until approximately 16:30h to 16:45h.
The hearing will resume the following day, October 22.

US indicted
The US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father are facing extradition proceedings in Guyana after the US formally requested their surrender on October 30, 2025. A US federal grand jury in Florida indicted the two men on allegations including wire and mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and customs violations linked to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax-evasion scheme. US prosecutors alleged that the men evaded taxes and royalties on more than 10,000 kilogrammes (kg) of gold through falsified customs declarations and reused export seals. The US indictment also alleges that Azruddin Mohamed evaded more than US$1 million in Guyanese taxes in connection with the Lamborghini’s importation.
They have denied the allegations. The US is seeking their extradition so they can face prosecution. Pending the outcome of the extradition proceedings, the two men, who were arrested on October 31, 2025, were each granted $150,000 bail and ordered to surrender their passports and report to the Ruimveldt Police Station as directed by the court.
Both Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, were sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury in June 2024 under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme over alleged involvement in corruption.