Prison Service rejects false mistreatment claims about US-sanctioned LOO

…says Mohamed allowed family visits, home-prepared meals, fan adjustment, telephone call to wish son happy birthday

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has rejected allegations circulating on social media that United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed is being subjected to inhumane treatment at Lusignan Prison.
The statement, issued on Sunday, followed claims circulated by Mohamed’s relatives and some members of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) parliamentary team alleging that he was being held in solitary confinement, shackled in a small cell and denied adequate ventilation, exercise and contact with other prisoners.
Other claims suggested that Mohamed was experiencing a medical emergency, that there were attempts to kill him and that prison authorities had intensified restrictions against him to the extent that he might not live to attend court on November 2.
However, the Prison Service said Mohamed was being managed according to his classification, security requirements, safety and welfare, and rejected suggestions that he was being subjected to punitive or degrading treatment.
According to the GPS, Mohamed was admitted to Lusignan Prison on Friday, October 30, and was assessed and classified as a high-profile prisoner through the Prison Management Offenders System. The classification determines his placement, accommodation and level of supervision and, according to the authorities, is a security and management measure rather than a form of punishment.
The Prison Service said that upon admission, Mohamed was examined by a medical officer and seen by a welfare officer. He was also briefed by the Officer-in-Charge of Lusignan Prison on the institution’s rules and the conditions governing his detention.
Addressing concerns about access to family members, the GPS said reasonable communication and visitation arrangements had been facilitated.
On Saturday, Assistant Director of Prisons, Operations (Acting), Deoraj Gyandat, met with Mohamed’s mother and two sisters and explained the arrangements for visits and telephone communication. The relatives were subsequently allowed to visit him.
The family later requested permission to provide meals for Mohamed, citing concerns about his safety. The Prison Service said the request was accommodated, subject to security procedures and a designated family member was authorised to deliver his meals.
The GPS further disclosed that Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, accompanied by Lusignan Prison Officer-in-Charge Seon Charles, personally visited Mohamed later that day to assess his welfare and reinforce the requirements governing his conduct while in custody.
During the interaction, Mohamed requested permission to telephone his son ahead of the child’s birthday on Sunday. The request was granted.
He also raised concerns about the fan serving his cell area, prompting prison officials to make the necessary adjustment.
The Prison Service said Mohamed’s conditions would continue to be monitored and that access to medical care, welfare services, family contact and other entitlements would be facilitated in keeping with established procedures.
The public statements and allegations surrounding Mohamed’s detention come as he remains on remand following his appearance before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
Mohamed and Police Constable Ryan Greene were jointly charged with unauthorised granting of access to or giving of electronic data, contrary to Section 9 of the Cybercrime Act, in connection with the alleged unauthorised extraction and transfer of sensitive police surveillance footage.
The two were denied bail and remanded until November 24. However, the prison service did not say if the same courtesies extended to Mohamed was also extended to the Greene.
The prosecution alleged that Greene, who was attached to the Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre, obtained surveillance recordings and supplied them to Mohamed in exchange for $800,000. The alleged transaction reportedly occurred on October 24.
The recordings relate to an October 12 shooting incident outside the Kitty, Georgetown, residence of Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine, Head of the Special Branch Unit and a witness in the extradition proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
During the bail hearing, the prosecution raised concerns about the possibility of further offences and pointed to ongoing investigations and other pending matters involving Mohamed. These included his extradition proceedings and separate charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and attempting to obstruct the course of justice.
The Prison Service, meanwhile, said it remained committed to the humane treatment of all prisoners and the human rights standards governing persons deprived of their liberty, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
It maintained that a prisoner’s public profile does not exempt that individual from security procedures applicable to their classification, while emphasising that the rights and welfare of all persons in custody must be protected.

Source: Guyana Times