Mohameds Extradition – the latest episode

Apr 23, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

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Hard Truths by GHK Lall

(Kaieteur News) – It is obvious that there are two sets of folks who want Messrs. Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar “Shell” Mohamed out of Guyana.  Persons of interest in the first set take the form of the Government of Guyana, specifically the hostile PPP leadership clique.  The second group is the US government, with the US Ambassador, the primary pusher and mover to get the extradition job done.  I think Excellency Nicole D. Theriot went too far, spoke a little too early.  Now, one of the Miami lawyers in the Mohameds’ legal team has communicated as much, and rather bluntly, to Washington’s plenipotentiary in Guyana.

Ambassador Theriot knew better; probably belatedly realises that a line was crossed.  Diplomats shouldn’t, and do not, dabble in ongoing judicial proceedings in their host countries, no matter how urgent the need to bring a case to a close and get their target.  The US must want the Mohameds really badly.  “We are simply holding people that we believe are guilty of a crime accountable for that crime.”  Since when did a US Ambassador, any of them, felt so unfettered, as to lurch forward recklessly and become ensnared in a matter in Guyana’s judicial arena? One involving Guyanese citizens alleged to have committed crimes against the Guyanese people?

It is inconceivable that a learned and seasoned US Ambassador could have become so nonchalant about diplomatic protocol.  So casual with the sensitive boundaries of national sovereignty that she allowed herself the liberty of being inordinately and unconscionably zealous and pronounce on the guilt of Guyanese citizens.  Is Ambassador Theriot now such an unchallenged and impeccable authority in this country (and by the instrumentality of which leader) that she felt free to anoint herself judge, jury, and executioner of the Mohameds?  Clearly, Excellency Theriot enjoys more than the usual diplomatic immunity, apparently beyond the maximum permissible, that she ventures into the murky waters of belief about who is guilty (and should be found so), and who is not, but no one knows how that could be.  I must ask about that part where her Excellency arrives at “we believe are guilty of a crime…”  Is that a legal belief, a philosophical belief, a spiritual belief, or a personal one?  If it is a legal belief, then I humbly remind the ambassador of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’  No matter how preponderant the evidence, there is still the presumption of innocence.  Further, I urge all Guyanese to revisit Iraq and remember the belief that the leadership in Baghdad was sitting on a stockpile of Weapons of Mass Destruction.  For sure, a costly set of beliefs that proved to be very lethal for many, Americans and Iraqis.

Candidly, and at a minimum, the words of the senior US diplomat in Guyana represent serious overstepping and overreach.  Plain and simple, undue pressure is placed on Guyana’s hapless magistracy: “As you know, we are ready to move forward…”  There is only one way to interpret that, whether one is a Rhodes Scholar, or a Guyana dunce.  One, only one, ruling is acceptable, i.e., guilty as charged.  There is no way that any of this, or all, that Ambassador Theriot placed in the public domain relative to the Mohameds’ situation does not prejudice their interests, does not operate as immovable obstacles to their freedom and their right to a fair hearing.  I think that Ambassador grew impatient, and a shade on the arrogant and boisterous side, when she threw diplomatic etiquette and the tactfulness of diplomatic reserve to the winds.  Overenthusiasm has led to many losing their heads, when seeming victory was within their grasp.  Thus, the Mohameds extradition deliberations have been muddied; a Rubicon best skirted around; or left untouched.  I anticipate the Mohameds’ Miami lawyers licking their chops, holding their clients out as victims of persecution by both the Guyana and US Governments, and seeking redress for palpable injustices inflicted.

In closing this out, I think Excellency Theriot had a rush of blood to the head, and got a tad sloppy.  It is now open-and-shut that her moment of weakness will be leveraged by Team Mohamed as an opening and source of strength.  A grand spectacle this is shaping up to be, and with more lives than a cat.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) 

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• Azruddin Mohamed, extradition, GHK Lall, Mohameds’ extradition

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