The prosecution has requested additional time to complete the disclosure of evidence in the criminal case against Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two of his employees, who are jointly charged with firearm, ammunition and obstruction of justice offences.
The charges stem from the October 12 shooting incident outside the Kitty residence of Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, who heads the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch.
The request was made on Friday when the matter was called before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels indicated that further investigative advice had been provided and additional material may have to be disclosed to the defence.
Daniels informed the court that the prosecution was prepared to disclose statements and photographs, along with other material, but sought a short adjournment to allow investigators to address outstanding issues.
The prosecutor explained that further advice had been given to investigators to clarify certain aspects of the case and that the relevant work had not yet been completed.
Defence attorney Siand Dhurjon, who appeared on behalf of the accused, questioned the nature of the outstanding material, particularly given Mohamed’s subsequent prosecution and remand in a separate but related cybercrime case.
“May we inquire, madam, as to specifically what is the nature of the outstanding materials?” Dhurjon asked.
He told the court that the issue was of particular concern because Mohamed had been charged in another matter the previous Friday and remanded.
The attorney said, “This matter is of some concern. There is a related matter for which the defendant was charged last Friday, for which he was remanded.”
Dhurjon pointed out that the separate proceedings concerned allegations that Mohamed had received footage relevant to the October 12 incident, raising questions about the evidence still to be disclosed in the present case.
Responding, Daniels maintained that the prosecution was making the necessary disclosures and that any additional material arising from the investigative advice would be provided subsequently.
The prosecutor indicated that the evidence the prosecution intended to rely on, including material relating to the relevant dates, was being disclosed.
Daniels told the court, “Further advice was given, and whatever is to be disclosed will be disclosed.”
Daniels also explained that the case file remained in the prosecution’s possession while investigators worked to complete the additional requirements.
Magistrate McGusty subsequently intervened, suggesting that the defence first examine the material being handed over before raising any further concerns about outstanding disclosure.
She noted that the court itself was not privy to the contents of the documents being disclosed and said both sides could provide an update at the next hearing.
The matter was consequently adjourned to November 27 at 9:30 am for further disclosure or a report on the status of the evidence.
Mohamed is jointly charged with his driver, Eugene Thorne, and videographer, Mario Mohamed, with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and attempting to obstruct the course of justice.
The charges stem from the October 12 shooting incident outside Narine’s Kitty residence, during which the senior police officer allegedly discharged his firearm in the direction of a vehicle occupied by Mohamed.
The three accused were each granted $750,000 bail on the charges, subject to several conditions, including surrendering their passports, remaining in Guyana and staying away from Narine’s residence.
They were also prohibited from contacting or interfering with Narine, his family or other prosecution witnesses.
