Latest update March 19th, 2026 12:35 AM
PS faces questions about contents of U.S./Guyana diplomatic exchange in Mohameds’ extradition proceeding
(Kaieteur News) – Defence attorney, Roysdale Forde on Wednesday questioned Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards on the content of diplomatic exchange between the Guyana Government and the U.S. authorities in relation to the request for extradition for businessman and leader of the opposition, Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
The Mohameds are facing a federal indictment in Miami, United States, following the unsealing of a 25-page indictment on October 2, 2025.
The indictment alleges a wide-ranging fraud and money-laundering scheme involving gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and the evasion of millions of dollars in taxes and royalties owed to Guyana.
Following a formal request from the United States, Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond signed the Authority to Proceed, allowing the extradition matter to proceed in the magistrates’ court. If sufficient evidence is established during committal proceedings, the magistrate could order the Mohameds’ extradition to face charges in the United States.
Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed during a court appearance.
The matter is currently before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate Court, but has already faced a number of postponements.
Under cross examination by Forde on Wednesday, PS Roopchand-Edwards told the court that the Government of Guyana sought “assurance” from the United States Government that Mohameds would not be re-extradited to third countries without the consent of the minister.
Roopchand-Edwards said that assurance was given based on the established treaties and specifications of the Fugitive Offenders Act.
Forde had previously sought to highlight the deficiencies in the way the alleged extradition documents from the United States were recorded and handled.
According to Forde, the records for October 30 and November 26, 2025, showed irregularities, including multiple entries that did not follow any consistent pattern and, in some instances, appeared to have been made after the events they purported to record. He argued that these discrepancies undermine the reliability of the permanent secretary’s testimony.
When the matter resumed before Magistrate Judy Latchman, the absence of key members of the defence team threatened to disrupt the continuation of the cross-examination of PS Roopchand-Edwards.
Attorney Siand Dhurjon, who represents Nazar Mohamed, was absent due to illness, while Senior Counsel Forde, representing Azruddin Mohamed, indicated that the information was only relayed shortly before the hearing. He also informed the court that attorney Damien DaSilva is dealing with a family matter and may no longer be able to continue in the case.
Despite these challenges, the court directed that proceedings continue, with Forde handling the cross-examination.
The prosecution, led by Glen Hanoman, raised concerns about the recurring interruptions and urged that steps be taken to prevent further disruption to the matter.
In response, the defence maintained that the delays were not intentional, pointing to the observance of Eid by the Mohamed family, alongside the illness and scheduling issues affecting their legal team.
Additional strain was placed on the schedule due to Forde’s existing matters before the high court and court of appeal, limiting his availability in the coming days.
Taking these factors into account, Magistrate Latchman ordered that the proceedings be adjourned after Wednesday’s sitting and resume on Tuesday, March 23, while cautioning that no further delays would be accepted.
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