The committal hearing in the extradition case involving Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, resumed on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The proceedings were presided over by Magistrate Judy Latchman, with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sharon Roopchand, remaining on the witness stand as cross-examination continued by defense counsel, Siand Dhurjon.
During questioning, Roopchand confirmed her receipt of the first extradition documents on October 30, 2025. She also noted that another request from the United States was received on November 26, 2025. When defense counsel attempted to inquire whether court proceedings had been initiated regarding the latter request, the prosecution objected based on relevance, a point upheld by Magistrate Latchman.
Roopchand testified that the extradition request involving the Mohameds was her first experience with such documents from the United States. She indicated that she immediately provided the documents to the Minister of Home Affairs on the night they were received. The Permanent Secretary dismissed any suggestions that she was urged by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd to expedite the process, stating she followed established protocols.
Additionally, Roopchand acknowledged being aware of the sanctions imposed on the Mohameds by the U.S. government in 2024, noting that their licenses had not been renewed following those sanctions. She also referenced her previous involvement in government processes related to gold export licenses from 2020 to 2025.
The defense maintained that the actions taken after receiving the extradition request were politically motivated and biased against Azruddin Mohamed, even suggesting that the U.S. government may be acting as an agent of the Guyanese government. Magistrate Latchman expressed concern over the implications of these assertions and queried defense counsel about their intent to include certain matters in the court record. She indicated that the defense’s claims cast a “net wide,” potentially suggesting political motivations extending to the U.S. judicial system.
In response to inquiries from reporters, Dhurjon reiterated that the Mohameds’ legal team was questioning the integrity of the U.S. justice system. From the prosecution’s side, lead attorney Terrence Williams remarked that all extradition cases involve both political and judicial elements, as requests are made by and to governments.
The Mohameds were sanctioned in 2024 due to various financial crimes and were indicted by the U.S. government. Azruddin Mohamed, who has announced plans to form a political party, faces serious allegations following a federal grand jury in Miami issuing an indictment on October 2, charging both he and his father with a multi-year scheme to evade taxes and royalties owed to the Government of Guyana through fraudulent gold export practices and related money laundering activities.
The extradition matter is adjourned to February 9 at 9:00 AM, with further hearings scheduled for February 11 and February 12 at 9:00 AM. The case continues to draw significant attention amid allegations and counterclaims surrounding its political implications.
