Guyana
The Court of Appeal has denied Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed's request to halt extradition proceedings to the United States. The Mohameds, facing charges of gold smuggling and money laundering, argued that the Authority to Proceed issued by the Minister of Home Affairs was unlawful. The court's decision allows the extradition process to continue, with a ruling on the substantive appeal scheduled for March 17, 2026.
Azruddin Mohamed, a prominent businessman and opposition leader, along with his father, Nazar Mohamed, were indicted in the U.S. for allegedly smuggling over 10,000 kilograms of gold and evading more than $50 million in taxes. Following these charges, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Mohameds, leading to the revocation of their cambio license by the Bank of Guyana.
The Mohameds challenged the extradition proceedings, claiming political bias and procedural irregularities. Their legal team sought a stay of the proceedings pending the outcome of their appeal against the Authority to Proceed. However, the Court of Appeal found no sufficient grounds to grant the stay, emphasizing the need for the extradition process to proceed without undue delay.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding legal processes and international obligations. The upcoming decision on March 17 will be pivotal in determining the future of the Mohameds' legal battles and their potential extradition to the United States.
