President Dr. Irfaan Ali reaffirmed on Thursday that the ongoing extradition proceedings involving U.S.-indicted businessmen Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed must adhere to strict due process. He emphasized that the courts in Guyana are not being tasked with trying the criminal allegations put forth by the United States.
Speaking at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Ali responded to comments made by Azruddin, who suggested that the extradition process could take “at least five years or more.” Dr. Ali expressed concern over this statement, suggesting it risks creating the impression that the judicial system is influenced by the expectations of the accused.
“When Mohamed said the proceeding can take five years or more, I don’t know why he believes he is in charge of the court,” the President remarked. He highlighted that such definitive statements could undermine the judiciary’s integrity and convey an inappropriate sense of control over legal proceedings.
Despite acknowledging the concern raised by Azruddin’s comments, Dr. Ali emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring fairness throughout the legal process. “We believe in due process. We believe the Mohameds must have due process, and they are having that due process,” he stated.
The President made it clear that the extradition proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court are not criminal trials aimed at determining guilt or innocence concerning the allegations in the U.S. indictment. “It is for the magistrate to determine whether there is enough evidence that constitutes a crime in the U.S. for the extradition to take place,” he said.
Dr. Ali pointed out that the case is backed by evidence submitted by U.S. authorities, including the findings of a U.S. grand jury that determined there is sufficient evidence to support the extradition. “The grand jury has already determined that there is enough evidence for the extradition to take place,” he noted, describing the process as straightforward.
He further clarified that the matter is neither political nor subject to external influence, affirming that the extradition process is governed by treaty obligations and relies on the evidence considered by the U.S. judicial system.
As the case continues to unfold in local courts, both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed face 11 charges, including wire fraud, gold smuggling, and money laundering, in a Florida court. Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned both men in 2024 due to their alleged activities.
