…raises witness safety concerns
(Kaieteur News) – The Government of Guyana has raised concerns about possible threats to witnesses in the ongoing extradition proceedings involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, following a late-night incident Monday outside the Kitty home of a senior police officer testifying in the case.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Government said Mohamed and two other men were allegedly filming the residence of Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine around midnight when gunshots were fired from a vehicle in which they were travelling. The Government said Mohamed had admitted that the trio were “filming” Narine’s home on Barr Street, Kitty, while travelling in a dark-coloured, heavily-tinted car.
A handcuffed Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed and one of his staff at the Kitty Police Station Monday night.
According to the statement, Narine, who is currently testifying in the extradition proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, returned fire using his service handgun. A subsequent police chase ended with the vehicle being intercepted and the three men arrested. Mohamed was reportedly found in the back seat, while the other two occupants were in the front. An unlicensed firearm was also allegedly found in the vehicle. The men remain in police custody, the Government said.
The statement described the incident as serious, arguing that it must be considered against the backdrop of Narine’s testimony and previous concerns he reportedly raised in court about his safety and that of his family. The Government noted that photographs of Narine and his family, including his minor son, had been posted on Mohamed’s Facebook page alongside President Dr. Irfaan Ali, which it claimed was intended to insinuate impropriety.
It said Narine subsequently told the magistrate under oath that he feared for his life and the safety of his family. The statement also referenced his testimony that Mohamed posed a threat to national security and that information obtained by the Guyana Police Force implicated him in several killings.
The Government further claimed that witnesses had previously turned up dead in murder investigations implicating Mohamed, warning that the latest incident could have implications for the safety of witnesses and the integrity of the justice system.
It argued that the extradition proceedings in Guyana are preliminary to a potential criminal trial in the United States, should Mohamed be extradited, and said the incident therefore carries implications beyond Guyana’s borders.
“Witnesses are key to any justice system. They must always feel safe when they testify,” the Government said, adding that the State had a duty to protect them. It warned that multiple serious criminal offences could arise from the incident and said investigations by law enforcement agencies were continuing. “The full force of the law will be applied,” the statement declared. The Government also disclosed that the United States Department of Justice was being kept informed of the developments.
Mohamed has strongly refuted the police’s account of the incident. The Opposition Leader stated he drove past Narine’s home specifically to record video footage documenting heavy police security presence and state resource misuse at a private residence. Mohamed accused Narine of initiating the unprovoked shooting by firing multiple rounds at his vehicle, and alleged he was assaulted by officers during the subsequent arrest.
Source: Kaieteur News
