Guyana Police Spy Chief Says He’s Unaware Of Derogatory Government Statements Against Mohameds As Defense Pushes Political Motivation Claim 

News Americas, NY, NY, Tues. Sept. 22, 2026: The extradition cases against Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed continued in the Georgetown magistrate court today as defense lawyers for the two businessmen worked to argue that the extradition request is politically motivated. The Guyana Police Force’s chief intelligence officer testified Tuesday that he was unaware of any adverse public statements against the Mohameds by top elected officials.

Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, head of the force’s Special Branch, told the extradition hearing before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman that Azruddin Mohamed is a national security threat. But under cross-examination by defence lawyer Siand Dhurjon, he denied a series of questions and suggestions that he had heard President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, or Attorney General Anil Nandlall make derogatory remarks calling the Mohameds criminals.

In Guyana and other current and former British colonies, the police Special Branch is responsible for national threat assessments, including monitoring political activity, industrial relations, and potential flashpoints for protest, as well as tracking positions taken by political parties in the media and at political meetings.

Narine acknowledged under cross-examination that, as head of Special Branch, he keeps abreast of current events. But he maintained, “I am not aware,” that Ali, Jagdeo, or Nandlall had made adverse comments about the Mohameds. He said he reads newspapers and news on social media “sometimes,” and said he had never observed Ali or Jagdeo making such comments in the news.

He similarly said he was “not aware” of a statement by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd alleging “collusion” between the Mohameds and ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Dhurjon pressed Narine directly on his credibility. “You are not being honest with this court?” Dhurjon asked.

“I am being honest with the court,” Narine replied. “You are very well aware of the statements vilifying the Mohameds by our leaders in the government,” Dhurjon said. “I am not,” Narine answered.

The Special Branch head also said he was unaware that Azruddin Mohamed’s own platform had criticized the government, though he acknowledged that Mohamed contested last year’s elections as an opposition candidate and that his We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party won 16 seats in the National Assembly.

Narine also defended his decision to destroy three books containing notes made in the course of his duties, telling the court that he believed he was required to do so under the United Kingdom’s Official Secrets Act.  Narine, the prosecution’s second witness, has testified about his role in collecting and presenting documents connected to the United States extradition request, obtaining the arrest warrants and executing those warrants against the Mohameds on October 31, 2025.

Dhurjon returned to the issue of the books Narine had previously acknowledged destroying by fire, questioning him about their contents and the nature of the information he recorded. Narine identified one of the destroyed books as his personal diary containing personal notes, while referring to the other two as books in which he made records.

Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed are already sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control over alleged evasion of more than US$50 million in taxes tied to the export of over 10,000 kilograms of gold. The US is seeking their extradition to face trial on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.

The extradition hearing, which has stretched nearly a year and been repeatedly delayed by defence lawyers’ unavailability and related court matters, continues. While the Magistrates’ Court continues hearing testimony and managing evidence disclosures, a final ruling on extradition remains legally stayed pending the outcome of the constitutional appeal scheduled for October 13, 2026.