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‘U.S. envoy under fire’ …Mohameds’ U.S. lawyer warns ambassador over “prejudicial” comments in extradition case
(Kaieteur News) – A United States (US) based attorney representing sanctioned Guyanese businessmen Azruddin Mohamed, and his father Nazar Mohamed, has written to US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, cautioning against public comments amid the ongoing extradition proceedings before the local courts.
In a letter dated April 15, 2026, Peter A. Quinter, a Florida Bar Board Certified attorney in International Law, raised concerns that recent statements made by the ambassador may be inappropriate given the matter remains sub judice in Guyana.
U.S.-based Attorney Peter A. Quinter
“It has come to my attention that your recent public statements regarding my clients above on a topic that remains pending in the courts of Guyana may not be appropriate for someone in your position,” Quinter wrote.
The lawyer argued that as a diplomat, the ambassador is obligated under international conventions to respect the legal processes of the host country and avoid commentary that could be seen as influencing judicial proceedings.
“As the U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, it may not be proper to make inaccurate comments regarding pending legal matters regarding my clients in the courts in Guyana,” he stated. To this end, he referenced the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, citing that as a diplomat, there is a duty to respect the laws and customs of the host country.
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot
The attorney further maintained that his clients are entitled to a fair hearing.
“My client company, Mohamed’s Enterprise, and its officers and shareholders who are subject to prosecution in the courts in Guyana are entitled to a fair hearing under the protection of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he said.
Quinter concerns follow recent remarks by Ambassador Theriot, who asserted confidence in the case against the Mohameds and debunked claims that extradition is politically influenced and motivated.
“So, the United States does not pursue criminal charges for political reasons. We do it because we have hard, unequivocal evidence against a person. Why would we take on a case we don’t think we’re going to win. That’s just a waste of the US taxpayers’ money, so we firmly believe that they’re guilty of the crimes that they’re being indicted for,” Theriot said during an episode of SOURCES.
The Mohameds are currently facing a federal indictment in Miami, United States, following the unsealing of a 25-page document on October 30, 2025. The request seeks their extradition to answer to an 11-count indictment involving allegations of large-scale fraud, money laundering, customs violations, bribery, and the evasion of millions of dollars in taxes and royalties linked to gold exports.
The US government made an extradition request to the Government of Guyana and the case is presently being the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The US ambassador had said, “It’s in the Guyanese Judiciary’s hands at this point. And you know, we were ready to move forward…we’re simply holding people that we believe are guilty of a crime accountable for that crime. And to be fair, it’s not just the United States taxpayers that were defrauded. I mean, let’s be clear about that.”
The extradition proceedings began in October 2025. The matter is also engaging the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
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