Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, Head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch, told the court Tuesday afternoon that he felt “somewhat intimidated” after a photograph of his family was posted on the Facebook page of the Opposition Leader along with derogatory comments.
Narine made the comment while continuing under cross-examination in the extradition proceedings involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman.
The afternoon session has just commenced when the Special Branch head called Magistrate Latchman’s attention to the social-media post featuring members of his family, including his 11-year-old child.
Narine expressed particular concern because of his child’s age and vulnerability. He said that while the picture also included the President and was first published by him, the caption now accompanying the picture was of concern to him.
He said he was “somewhat intimidated” by the situation and indicated that his concern was linked to the potential exposure of his child on social media.
Latchman subsequently objected to the practice of posting photographs of other people, particularly children, on social media platforms.
“Especially of children and exposing people’s children’s faces on Facebook and social media,” she said, stressing that children are innocent parties who should be kept out of the matter.
The issue arose as defence attorney Roysdale Forde, SC, continued questioning Narine in the ongoing extradition case. Narine has been a central prosecution witness in the proceedings and has faced sustained cross-examination over the Special Branch’s intelligence concerning Mohamed, surveillance and the circumstances surrounding Mohamed’s arrest.
The extradition proceedings are continuing before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
