Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday rejected an application by prosecutors representing the United States (US) to revoke bail granted to Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, ruling that allegations of past misconduct, without convictions, were insufficient grounds to justify their continued detention in the extradition proceedings.
The decision was a setback for the United States (US) prosecution, which argued that a pattern of alleged offences involving the younger Mohamed warranted the withdrawal of bail.
In delivering her ruling, Latchman made it clear that allegations and pending criminal charges, in the absence of convictions, could not independently justify revoking bail.
“I do not find that past conduct without a conviction or pending charges without a conviction is sufficient to warrant a revocation of bail,” the Chief Magistrate stated.
She nevertheless indicated that a conviction arising from separate criminal proceedings could provide grounds for reconsidering bail while the extradition case remains before the court.
“That conviction may very well have some bearing on an application for revocation at that stage,” she said.
Latchman also affirmed that the court has the authority to grant, vary or revoke bail, including modifying the conditions attached to it.
However, having considered the arguments advanced by both sides, she concluded:
“In these circumstances, bail is maintained for the Mohameds in relation to this matter.”
The application was advanced by Jamaican attorney Herbert McKenzie, one of the prosecutors representing the United States in the extradition proceedings. He cited several recent criminal charges involving Azruddin Mohamed as grounds for revoking bail.
Among the allegations raised was an alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice involving the discharge of a loaded firearm on October 12, 2026, near the residence of Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, the Guyana Police Force’s intelligence chief and a major witness in the extradition proceedings.
McKenzie relied on the incident, in which Mohamed is alleged to have acted alongside two other individuals, to support the prosecution’s argument that his continued release posed sufficient concerns to warrant revocation of bail.
The defence submissions were presented by attorneys Roysdale Forde and Siand Dhurjon before Latchman delivered her decision.
Mohamed remains on remand despite ruling
Despite the favourable ruling in the extradition proceedings, the Opposition Leader will not immediately regain his freedom.
Mohamed remains on remand until November 24 in connection with the separate October 12 incidents, which include allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Those allegations remain subject to the separate criminal proceedings and have not been established as facts.
Monday’s decision therefore preserves the bail granted in the extradition matter but does not override the separate remand order keeping Mohamed in custody.
The extradition proceedings against Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, are continuing, with the hearing scheduled to resume this afternoon.
