Chief Magistrate warns Special Branch rank against discussing extradition hearing with boss

A member of the Police Force’s Special Branch Unit, who was seated in Court today as the extradition hearing against the Mohameds continued, was warned by Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman not to discuss the proceedings with any of the witnesses, including his boss, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine.

The warning was issued after the Defence team lodged a complaint about the rank’s presence during the hearing.

Defence Attorney Siand Dhurjon expressed concern to the Court that every time the Head of the Special Branch is instructed by the Chief Magistrate to leave the Courtroom to allow for issues arising in the matter to be ventilated, Ranks from the Special Branch Unit would remain seated in Court.

Dhurjon submitted to the Court that those ranks have been allegedly feeding information on the proceedings to their boss.

“One of the Special Branch ranks who frequented this Court when we were at the other court, in the earlier part of these proceedings when Miss Roopchand was on the stand, was Detective David Lall, who has been charged with shooting a man, and causing the man to go limp. He is still before the Courts. So, we feel some kind of intimidation as well Madam, and we feel that this is wholly inappropriate, wholly improper, and if Mr. Narine is out of Court, out of hearing, so too should be his associates and colleagues,” Dhurjon told the Court.

Special Prosecution Herbert McKenzie rejected the assertions, and contended that Dhurjon’s complaint lacked merit.

In seeking clarity, the Chief Magistrate questioned whether the Special Branch ranks were seen providing information on the proceedings to the Special Branch Head. The Defence team responded in the affirmative.

According to Dhurjon, the Ranks have been seen speaking constantly with Narine during “suspicious intervals”. However, he was not able to speak to the content of the conversations.

At the time of Dhurjon’s complaint, a single Special Branch rank was in Court. That rank told the Court that he did not attend the proceedings with the Head of the Special Branch, and was there to observe the proceedings.

According to him, while he spoke to Narine while at Court, they did not discuss the contents of the case.

In response, the Chief Magistrate warned him not to discuss the ongoing proceedings. He was allowed to remain in the Courtroom.

“You are warned that you are not to speak to anyone about the proceedings, especially witnesses in the matter. You will not discuss the matter with anyone,” the Chief Magistrate instructed.

At the time of Dhurjon’s complaint, he was questioning the witness about his accession to the position of Senior Superintendent of Police, and whether he had personally received “profound professional advancement” under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration.

The Prosecution objected to the question, but Dhurjon explained to the Court that it is the Defence’s position that Narine has “an axe to grind,” pointing out that under the current administration, he moved from being a constable to an inspector, then Superintendent before being promoted to a Senior Superintendent.

He said the Defence intends to prove that the witness has a certain political allegiance.

“We would allege that Mr Narine lied of the origins of the documents, he lied of his manner of transmission of the documents, he has clearly lied to shield who gave him the instructions,” Dhurjon told the Court.

The question was ruled out as irrelevant by the Chief Magistrate.

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