Narine tells court Azruddin Mohamed involved in 6 execution style killings -but no charges laid
September 22 2026
Head of the Police Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, told the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday that Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed was involved in the six execution-style killings, yet acknowledged under cross-examination that no formal charges were ever brought against him.
Testifying during the ongoing U.S. extradition committal proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, Narine identified the younger Mohamed as the “greatest threat” to Guyana’s national security, but conceded under questioning by defense attorney Siand Dhurjon that law enforcement never arrested or charged Mohamed for any of the alleged crimes.
Narine told the court and Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman that his assessment was based on intelligence gathered through Special Branch sources implicating Mohamed in six execution-style homicides dating back to around 2011, another around 2020 or 2021, and a boat explosion at Friendship that left three people dead. He also cited information regarding allegations of torture, bribery, worker assaults, and an incident where an employee’s ear was cut off.
Under cross-examination, Narine admitted he had no direct visual evidence of these incidents, was not present when they occurred, and relied entirely on informant reports. He clarified that his definition of an “execution-style killing” referred to a situation where there was a plan to kill someone and that plan was carried out, rather than a victim being restrained or forced to kneel.
The defense focused heavily on Narine’s past leadership roles, pointing out that when the 2020 or 2021 death and the Friendship vessel explosion occurred, Narine was serving as the Divisional Detective Officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Diamond Police Station, which held direct jurisdictional oversight over the Friendship area. Despite holding direct authority over the division at the time, Narine confirmed that Mohamed was never arrested, interviewed, or charged in connection with the three deaths or any of the other alleged homicides.
When asked if he could cite any court finding anywhere in the world holding Mohamed liable for murder, torture, or bribery, Narine identified none, and conceded he could not recall which specific superior officer he had reported the intelligence to, stating only that it was not given to the Crime Chief and that information was restricted to “controlled officers.”
Pressed on whether his assessment meant he actively sought to eliminate Mohamed’s presence in public life, Narine responded, “By all legal means possible.” The defense raised questions over whether Special Branch’s actions were politically motivated following Mohamed’s entry into politics. Narine denied taking political direction or acting under instruction from government officials, rejecting assertions that he was ordered to target the Mohameds or clear communications with the President from his personal devices, declaring, “That is not true,” and calling the claims “totally wrong.”
The destruction of official records also remained central to Tuesday’s hearing, following Narine’s earlier admission that he destroyed three police notebooks containing entries related to his duties around the time of the Mohameds’ October 31, 2025 arrests. Narine denied Dhurjon’s suggestion that the books were destroyed to conceal who directed his actions, maintaining they contained classified investigation notes. He argued that his obligations under the Official Secrets Act and Special Branch directives under Standing Order 50 superseded general record-keeping requirements under Standing Order 28, which mandates the preservation of police pocketbooks.
The Guyana Police Force has separately stated that official evidential records were preserved in formal statements tendered to the court and that only working notes were destroyed.
Further questioning addressed the events of October 31, 2025, where the defense suggested Special Branch officers closed courtroom doors to block the Mohameds from surrendering peacefully to force a public arrest. Narine rejected the claim, stating he was in the witness box giving evidence at the time and had no control over courtroom entry. He explained he initially checked the court for Azruddin Mohamed because he had information Mohamed had an unrelated matter scheduled there that day. When questioned on Mohamed’s political speeches critical of the government, Narine initially said he was unaware of them, before later acknowledging he had heard some comments but could not recall specific details. When Dhurjon suggested he was being untruthful, Narine says he maintains his integrity.
The extradition committal inquiry stems from criminal allegations filed in the United States, which is seeking the extradition of both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed. In the Magistrates’ Court, Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman continues to hear witness testimony, with Prosecutor Herbert McKenzie indicating the defense could still cross-examine prosecution witnesses including Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and Detective Superintendent Rodwell Sarrabo, while Permanent Secretary Sharon Roopchand-Edwards and Senior Superintendent Narine both remain on the stand to complete their cross-examinations.
Proceedings before Magistrate Latchman are set to resume on September 28, 2026.
