Making it clear that the ultimate decision at this stage of the extradition proceedings against businessmen, Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed will be made by her and no one else, Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman today declined to see the content of a press statement issued by the Guyana Police Force, which according to the Defence, has the potential to prejudice the ongoing matter.

The press statement by the Police sought to clarify the testimony of the Head of the Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, with regards to his destruction of documents relating to activities that unfolded before, during and after the arrests of the father and son on October 31, 2025.

Registering his concern with the Court as the case resumed this morning, Defence Attorney, Siand Dhurjon, said this is the first time in the country’s history that an employer sought to provide an “institutional explanation” while a witness remains on the stand.

“In so doing, the Police Force misquoted evidence, mischaracterized what was said, and sought impermissibly to prejudice not only the public’s opinion but also this honorable court’s opinion on what Mr. Narine meant to say or should be saying,” Dhurjon told the Court.

He described the move by the Police Force as an attempt to “pervert the course of justice.”

But the Chief Magistrate declined to look the press statement or its contents.

“I don’t want to see it. I don’t want to prejudice my mind. I sequestered my mind a long time ago. I do not pay attention to any media, I do not pay attention to phones or screens, I concentrate on what is being said in the walls of these court rooms, from that witness box, and no place else,” Chief Magistrate Latchman said.

She said she has long sequestered her mind and that of the Court, and assured the Defence that the final decision at this stage of the extradition proceedings will be made by her without the weight of such statements or opinions.

“I do not wish to see videos. I do not want to see content. I will have to make the ultimate decision in this matter, at this level, whatever that decision is. I do not wish to address my mind to the content of that. I don’t want to see footage; I don’t want to see videos. I don’t want to see anything arising on social media; I pay no attention to that,” the Chief Magistrate iterated.

Chief Magistrate Latchman told the Defence to take the necessary actions, should the issue be of grave concern to them, but emphasized that no statement will “deter”or “hamper” her decision making. 

While Narine remained under cross-examination by Dhurjon, the Force, in the statement contended that the Special Branch Head testified that he “disposed of in the official incinerator at Special Branch” documents “in keeping with established procedures for the disposal of sensitive working documents that were no longer required.”

According to the police, the document “contained no information of evidential value to the committal proceedings”, and that “the relevant information had already been incorporated into his statement”.

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