Extradition hearing drags on as key witness faces prolonged cross-examination
March 18 2026
The extradition proceedings involving businessmen Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed continue to be delayed, with the court still hearing cross-examination of a primary witness more than two months after she first took the stand.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, has been giving testimony since January 6, 2026, as defence attorneys challenge her testimony regarding the handling of U.S. extradition documents.
Outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, prosecuting attorney Glenn Hanoman described the pace of proceedings as excessively slow, suggesting that the extended cross-examination amounts to a deliberate delay.
“We’re inching towards the end of cross-examination of the first witness. That witness was first called on the 6th of January, so she’s been under cross-examination now for almost two and a half months — a masterclass in delay,” he told reporters.
According to the witness, Diplomatic Note No. 417 and supporting documents tied to the extradition request were received on October 30, 2025, and recorded in official correspondence logs before being forwarded to the relevant authorities.
However, defence attorney Roysdale Forde argued that inconsistencies in those records have necessitated the lengthy cross-examination.
He pointed to irregular entries, missing acknowledgements, and a lack of clear documentation showing who delivered the materials or when they were formally received.
Forde contended that these discrepancies raise serious doubts about whether the documents were properly submitted to the Government of Guyana in accordance with extradition procedures.
Despite those claims, Roopchand-Edwards maintained that the documents bore official United States seals and were promptly transmitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is headed by Minister Oneidge Walrond.
She also testified that a diplomatic note was later sent to the U.S. Embassy seeking assurances under Article Seven of the extradition treaty.
Hanoman indicated that several additional witnesses are still expected to testify, warning that at the current pace the matter could extend for months.
The case arises from sanctions imposed on the Mohameds and their businesses by the United States in June 2024 over alleged gold smuggling and money laundering.
The Mohameds are wanted in the Southern District of Florida, where they face multiple charges, including money laundering, conspiracy and wire and mail fraud.
Cross-examination is set to resume on Wednesday
