The ongoing extradition hearing against billionaire businessmen, Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, was halted and adjourned this morning after the Court learned of the hospitalisation of 73-year-old Nazar Mohamed following a medical emergency.

The elder Mohamed was reportedly preparing for Court this morning when he fell ill and had to be rushed to the Hospital with complaints of chest pains related to a heart ailment and an elevated blood pressure.

According to the son, Azruddin Mohamed, his father was hospitalised with a number of medical complaints.

“He has a heart complication; he has pressure issues, diabetes. I guess his age, 73 years of age, this is really taking a toll on him, and I wish him a speedy recovery,” Azruddin Mohamed told reporters outside the Court room.

Inside, and outside the Court room, the Prosecution wished Mr. Mohamed a speedy recovery. One of the Prosecuting Attorneys, Glenn Hanoman, told reporters that today’s adjournment was understandable.

“We wish Nazar Mohamed well. We wish him a speedy recovery. These things happen, nothing we can do,” he said.

Inside the Courtroom, Hanoman had asked for the senior Mohamed to appear virtually, should he still be unwell when the case if called again on the 16^th February, but the Defense objected to such a proposal. Hanoman said that the delays were costly.

“There is a cost even the court has to mobilize itself from a different jurisdiction to be here. Prosecutors have to be here…I think the law allows for that [virtual appearance] and I think that is a very good solution. If he needs to rest, I think that he can be accommodated like that by the Court,” Hanoman said.

According to him, the Paper Committal Act allows defendants to appear virtually, once consent is given for the Defense Attorneys to witness the proceedings on their behalf.

However, Defense Attorney Siand Dhurjon told reporters that senior Mohamed will appear in Court once he recovers from his illness.

“No, no. At least if he feels much better, he will come on the next occasion but as of now I don’t think the magistrate is willing to entertain too much virtual appearances, because even the counsel for the USA asked to appear virtually on the next occasion, and that as resisted,” Dhurjon said.

The case comes up again on February 16 for report. 

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