Guyana
The Guyana Court of Appeal has scheduled a ruling for March 17, 2026, on the appeal filed by businessmen Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed, who are contesting the Minister of Home Affairs' Authority to Proceed with their extradition to the United States. The Mohameds, indicted in the U.S. on charges including gold smuggling and money laundering, had sought to halt the extradition proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court pending the appeal's outcome. However, the appellate court declined their request for a stay, allowing the lower court proceedings to continue. The upcoming decision is pivotal, as it will determine whether the extradition process will proceed or be reconsidered based on the appeal's merits.
Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed, prominent figures in Guyana's business community, were indicted by U.S. authorities on allegations of smuggling over 10,000 kilograms of gold into the United States and evading more than $50 million in taxes. Following these indictments, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added the Mohameds and their businesses to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list in June 2024, effectively sanctioning them and restricting their financial activities.
In response to the U.S. extradition request, Guyana's Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, issued an Authority to Proceed (ATP) on October 30, 2025, initiating the formal extradition process. The Mohameds challenged this ATP in the High Court, alleging political bias and procedural irregularities. However, on February 4, 2026, Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh dismissed their application, affirming the legality of the ATP.
Subsequently, the Mohameds appealed this decision to the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the High Court's ruling. They also filed an application to stay the ongoing extradition proceedings at the Magistrates' Court until the appeal was resolved. On March 10, 2026, the Court of Appeal heard arguments from both sides and denied the request for a stay, allowing the Magistrates' Court to continue its proceedings. The appellate court has now set March 17, 2026, as the date to deliver its judgment on the substantive appeal.
The Court of Appeal's forthcoming decision holds significant implications for the Mohameds and the broader legal landscape in Guyana. If the court upholds the High Court's ruling, the extradition proceedings are likely to advance, potentially leading to the Mohameds' transfer to U.S. authorities. Conversely, if the appeal is successful, it could halt or delay the extradition process, necessitating a reassessment of the ATP and possibly leading to further legal challenges.
This case has garnered substantial public and media attention, given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the serious allegations against them. The outcome may also influence future extradition cases and the interpretation of legal procedures related to international requests.
As the March 17, 2026, ruling approaches, all parties involved, including legal practitioners, policymakers, and the public, await the Court of Appeal's decision. This judgment will not only determine the immediate fate of the Mohameds but may also set precedents for how similar cases are handled in Guyana's judicial system.
