Illegal gun, ammo charges-Prosecution discloses video, photo evidence to US-sanctioned LOO’s lawyers

…driver arrested in connection with $800,000 video leak

The prosecution on Friday made disclosure of evidence in the firearm, ammunition, and obstruction of justice case against United States (US)- sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two of his employees, but indicated that additional material was still outstanding and sought more time to complete the process.
The charges stem from the October 12 shooting incident outside the Kitty, Georgetown residence of Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, who heads the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Special Branch Unit. Narine is a witness in the ongoing extradition case against Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
The matter was called before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where Police Prosecutor Superintendent Shellon Daniels informed the court that statements, four discs, and photographs had been disclosed to the defence.

However, Daniels said further investigative advice had been provided to clarify certain aspects of the case, and additional material might have to be disclosed once investigators complete the outstanding work. Defence Attorney Siand Dhurjon, representing the accused, questioned the prosecution about the nature of the outstanding material, particularly in light of Mohamed’s subsequent prosecution and remand in a separate but related cybercrime case.
He told the court that the issue was of particular concern because Mohamed had been charged in another matter the previous Friday and remanded.
Dhurjon pointed out that the separate proceedings concerned allegations that Mohamed had received footage relevant to the October 12 incident, raising questions about the evidence still to be disclosed in the firearm case.
In response, Daniels maintained that the prosecution was making the necessary disclosures and that any additional material arising from the further investigative advice would be provided.
The prosecutor indicated that the evidence the prosecution intended to rely on, including material relating to the relevant dates, was being disclosed.
“Further advice was given, and whatever is to be disclosed will be disclosed,” Daniels insisted.

Review material handed
Principal Magistrate McGusty subsequently suggested that the defence first review the material handed over before raising any further concerns about outstanding disclosure.
She noted that the court was not privy to the contents of the documents being disclosed and said both sides could provide an update at the next hearing.
The matter was adjourned to November 27 for further disclosure or a report on the status of the evidence.

Mohamed, of Lot 19 Houston, Greater Georgetown, is jointly charged with his driver, Eugene Thorne, of Lot 346 Timehri Hill Top, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and videographer Mario Mohamed, of Alliance Road, Timehri, EBD, with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and attempting to obstruct the course of justice.

Obstruction charge
The obstruction charge alleged that on October 12 at Barr Street, Kitty, the men wilfully attempted to obstruct the administration of justice by discharging a firearm at or in the vicinity of the home of Narine.

Narine is a key witness in the extradition proceedings against Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, which were initiated at the request of the US.
The other two charges alleged that on October 13 at Alexander Street, Kitty, the men had a .32 Taurus pistol and three rounds of .32 ammunition in their possession without valid firearm licences.
The charges stem from the October 12 incident outside Narine’s Kitty residence, when Mohamed and his two employees drove past the witness’ home twice.
Narinedischarged his firearm in the direction of a vehicle occupied by Mohamed and his staff members, after gunshots were heard.
The three accused were each granted $750,000 bail on the charges, subject to conditions including surrendering their passports, remaining in Guyana and staying away from Narine’s residence. They were also prohibited from contacting or interfering with Narine, his family or other prosecution witnesses.

Remanded
However, Mohamed was subsequently remanded to Lusignan Prison by Magistrate Abigail Gibbs after being denied bail in a separate cybercrime case involving the unauthorised disclosure of surveillance footage from the GPF’s Safe Country surveillance system.
In that matter, Mohamed and 20-year-old Police Constable Ryan Greene were jointly charged in connection with the alleged unauthorised disclosure of electronic data relating to national security.
The prosecution alleged that Greene obtained footage of the October 12 shooting incident involving Mohamed and supplied it to him in exchange for $800,000.
Another police rank, Constable Ashton Chappelle, was subsequently charged in connection with the alleged unauthorised disclosure of the footage and was also remanded to prison.
Mohamed’s mother, Bonita Mohamed and Greene’s father, Randy Greene, have since filed separate High Court applications challenging the refusal of bail to their respective relatives in the cybercrime case.
Greene’s application seeking reasonable bail is scheduled to be heard on November 10 before Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, while Mohamed’s application for reasonable bail is set for further hearing on November 12 before Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif.

Driver arrested
Separately, Thomas was arrested while making his court appearance on Friday in connection with the cybercrime investigation.
Meanwhile, Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, remain on $150,000 bail each in the ongoing US extradition proceedings, in which they are contesting requests for their extradition to face an 11-count federal indictment.

Source: Guyana Times