— Chief Magistrate again warns over Facebook posts by Mohameds’ featuring Special Branch head’s son & wife
Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman has cautioned against the use of children and spouses in social media disputes, after Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine complained to the court about a Facebook post featuring his wife and, 11-year-old son.
Narine, head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch Unit, raised the issue during Tuesday’s extradition hearing.
He said the post was brought to his attention during the lunch break while he was giving evidence against Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
He told the court that the post carried photographs of himself, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, his wife and his son, along with what he described as a derogatory comment.
Narine said he viewed the publication as an attempt to intimidate him because of his testimony. He said he was particularly concerned about his son, whom he described as a minor attending a public school.
According to Narine, the child’s face had previously been obscured when the photograph was used, but was visible in the latest post.
The photograph was posted from the “Hana Khamelia” Facebook account, which has been linked to Hana Mohamed, Azruddin Mohamed’s sister and Nazar Mohamed’s daughter.
A similar post was also shared on a Facebook page bearing the name “Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the Opposition – Guyana.”
When defence attorney Siand Dhurjon was asked whether he was aware of the post, he said he was not.
Dhurjon said it would be “regrettable and unfortunate” if children or spouses were brought into what he described as the political fray surrounding the matter.
He nevertheless told the court that questions concerning whether the publication was wrongful, and any resulting liability, should be addressed through the appropriate legal process.
He added that the issue could not properly be dealt with within the extradition proceedings.
Chief Magistrate Latchman subsequently turned her attention to the broader issue of children appearing in social media posts.
“No one should be posting things with other people on Facebook or any other social media,” she said, specifically warning against exposing children’s faces.
“These children have schools to go to, have classes to attend. This is not right to do that,” the Chief Magistrate said.
She added that such conduct could affect children and spouses, who should be kept out of the dispute.
“These are innocent people in this matter,” Chief Magistrate Latchman said.
“So, whoever’s doing that needs to stop it.”
This was not the first time Chief Magistrate Latchman has cautioned against social media posts concerning the extradition proceedings.
She had previously warned Hana Mohamed about posts relating to Narine and other witnesses in the matter.
