In a significant development within Guyana’s legal landscape, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman has authorized defense attorneys for billionaire gold dealers Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed to question a senior government official regarding alleged political motivations behind their US extradition proceedings.
Defense counsel Siand Dhurjon presented claims that the Guyanese government engaged a US lobbying firm at a cost exceeding US$700,000 specifically to advocate for the “vilification” of the Mohameds and their subsequent extradition. The defendants face US charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering related to their gold trading operations.
Dhurjon asserted in court that “the US government has acted as agent of the Guyana government towards an improper political motive,” a claim that Magistrate Latchman allowed to be formally recorded despite objections from US Prosecutor Herbert McKenzie regarding relevance.
The defense’s questioning focused on Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, seeking to establish connections between her governmental appointments, her relationship with President Irfaan Ali, and the handling of extradition documents. Dhurjon argued these inquiries were relevant to demonstrate “collaboration between the American and Guyanese governments as part of a plot to go after the Mohameds for political reasons.”
Under oath, Roopchand-Edwards acknowledged knowing President Ali for several years and holding multiple government positions, including membership on the Guyana Gold Board where she participated in approving the Mohameds’ gold export licenses between 2020-2025. However, she claimed inability to recall specific negative statements made by government officials about the defendants prior to October 2025.
The case has gained political significance since Azruddin Mohamed formed the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, which secured 16 opposition seats, resulting in his appointment as Guyana’s Opposition Leader.