The United States extradition case involving sanctioned Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, was once again adjourned on Wednesday after the court was informed that the elder Mohamed continues to struggle with health issues.
The proceedings, being heard in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, have been ongoing for more than three months. When the matter was called on February 9, it was adjourned to February 16 after the court was told that Nazar Mohamed was unwell. On that February 16 hearing, an arrest warrant was issued for Azruddin Mohamed when he failed to appear at the scheduled 09:00h session, but the warrant was withdrawn after the defence provided an explanation for his absence. Nazar Mohamed did not attend that hearing.
On Wednesday, both father and son were present, although no updated medical report was presented for the elder Mohamed. Defence attorneys told the court that his cardiologist is currently on leave and that his recovery remains incomplete. The court agreed to set the next hearing for February 26, allowing time for additional medical documentation to be prepared.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution proposed that the extradition process move forward via paper committal rather than the traditional Preliminary Inquiry (PI). The suggestion was initially put forward by Attorney Glen Hanoman and supported by lead prosecutor, Jamaican Attorney-at-Law Terrence Williams.
The defence objected to the proposal, arguing that the Fugitive Offenders Act does not allow extradition matters to be processed through paper committal. Attorney Siand Dhurjon said that moving the case in this manner would bypass cross-examination and deny the defendants their right to test evidence orally.
Magistrate Latchman questioned the prosecution on the legal basis for applying the new paper committal legislation to extradition proceedings. She noted that extradition cases under the Fugitive Offenders Act are distinct from indictable criminal matters and require preliminary inquiry procedures to ensure fairness.
“What would be the criminal offence in this matter? That’s one… and paper committal applies where there is a criminal offence. When a Magistrate conducts a paper committal, there is absolutely no cross-examination,” she said.
“Cross-examination takes place in the High Court before a Judge and a jury, once you are committed. But isn’t the path to justice lined with examination in chief, cross-examination, and re-examination? Isn’t the path to justice lined?” Magistrate Latchman asked.
Prosecutor Williams argued that, in extradition cases, the requesting state, in this case, the United States, tests the evidence. When pressed, he acknowledged that the requested state, Guyana, could also review the evidence but maintained that cross-examination is not strictly required in such proceedings.
The court directed the prosecution to submit written arguments on the paper committal proposal by February 26.
During the hearing on Wednesday, US-indicted Nazar Mohamed addressed the court regarding his condition. “I’m really not well; tightness in my chest, breathing [problems], but the cramps are under control, and the pressure is still up. I’m just here because the counsel told me I have to come,” Mohamed told the court.
Attorney-at-law Charrandass Persaud, former High Commissioner to India, was also present in the courtroom and was seen seated with the defence attorneys. However, Persaud later said outside the court that he is not formally part of the legal team but was just observing.
In December 2018, Persaud, an MP for the then David Granger-led Administration, had voted against the APNU/AFC Government in a no confidence motion.
The extradition against sanctioned Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed is being pursued under the Guyana-United Kingdom Extradition Treaty, retained under Section 4(1)(a) of the Fugitive Offenders Act, Cap. 10:04, as updated by Act No. 10 of 2024. The formal extradition request from the United States was submitted on October 30, 2025.
The father-son duo, along with their business interests, were sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on June 11, 2024, for alleged large-scale corruption, including gold smuggling, money laundering, and bribery. Investigations indicate attempts to evade more than US$50 million in taxes owed to the Guyanese Government.
In addition, a grand jury in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida has indicted Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed on 11 criminal counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, primarily linked to the export of gold by Mohamed’s Enterprises to the United States. Convictions on most counts carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and fines of up to US$250,000. The money laundering charge carries a potential fine of US$500,000 or the value of the laundered assets.
Both father and son are out on $150,000 bail each as the extradition proceedings continue. The next hearing is scheduled for February 26.
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