Latest update February 27th, 2026 12:32 AM
Mohameds’ lawyers seek removal of prosecutor over “biggest criminal” remark
(Kaieteur News) – Defence attorneys representing sanctioned businessman and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, have formally applied for the recusal of state prosecutor Glenn Hanoman after he allegedly referred to one of the defendants as the “biggest criminal” during court proceedings on Thursday.
The remark was reportedly made during the ongoing extradition hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. He made the comment while Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, was under cross-examination.
Prosecutor Glenn Hanoman
Defence attorney Dhurjon was questioning Roopchand-Edwards about the handling of the United States’ extradition request for the Mohameds. He compared the speed at which their request was processed to that of another Guyanese national, Ronley Floyd Bynoe.
According to the defence, the Mohameds’ extradition request moved at an unprecedented pace through government channels. Bynoe, who was brought before the court on February 19, 2026, had his extradition request received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 26, 2025. “This extradition process has been politically-motivated. Every facility of government has been implied to fast-track its process. Our case is that there is no other extradition case in history that has been moved at such great speed through governmental channels, and we only wish to use one comparator, which is the most recent extradition request,” Dhurjon argued.
During this line of argument, Hanoman who has been representing the State from the inception of the extradition proceedings, reportedly interjected, stating, “He’s the biggest criminal.”
Defence attorney Dhurjon immediately informed the court that Hanoman had made the remark and requested that it be formally recorded in the official proceedings. Magistrate Latchman called both attorneys to the bench and warned the prosecutor about his conduct. The magistrate was heard telling Hanoman to “behave yourself in the court,” after he acknowledged making the statement.
Despite the warning, the defence later formally applied for Hanoman’s recusal following the morning session.
“It is highly improper and illegal for the prosecutor to say that the defendant is the biggest criminal, and in the context in which he said it. This gives insight into the poisoned mind of the prosecutor,” Dhurjon contended.
He argued that prosecutors are bound by oath to remain impartial and that such a statement demonstrates personal bias, potentially compromising the fairness of the proceedings. Magistrate Latchman subsequently instructed both the prosecution and defence to submit their legal authorities via email addressing the recusal application. Speaking to members of the media after the hearing, Hanoman defended his remark, saying it was not intended for public consumption.
“I find it very funny. It wasn’t meant for public consumption. I was speaking to my colleagues at the bar table. The reason why I agreed to take on this prosecution, having regard to the evidence in this case, is that what we are dealing with here is a family that is accused of—and there is compelling evidence to suggest—that they are a criminal network on a large scale. That’s why I agreed to it, because I believe the evidence,” he said. Hanoman indicated that he will challenge the defence’s application for his removal from the case.
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