–full-day hearing set for February 26

EXTRADITION proceedings against US-indicted businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed were again delayed on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, after the defence sought a further adjournment on medical grounds, and raised fresh procedural objections.
When the matter was called before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, Defence Attorney Siand Dhurjon informed the court that Nazar Mohamed was still unwell and had previously been diagnosed with a heart condition.
Counsel asked the court to exercise discretion and allow additional time for rest and recovery.
No formal medical report was submitted to the court, which brings into question the legitimacy of the older Mohamed’s claim of ill health.
Nazar, who was present in court, told the Magistrate that he was experiencing tightness in his chest and was not fit to participate in hearings for the remainder of the week.
“I’m really not feeling well; I still have the tightness in the chest, and cramps in both legs and hands,” said.
He informed the court that he was also suffering from high blood pressure; however, when pressed further by the magistrate on his most recent visit to a cardiologist, Nazar disclosed that his specialised physician was currently on leave, and that attempts to seek out another specialist at a private facility had been futile.

In light of the update, Magistrate Latchman adjourned the proceedings to February 26, 2026, when the court is expected to convene for a full-day hearing from 09:00 hrs.
Following the brief medical update, the court heard submissions on a significant procedural issue that could shape the course of the extradition process.
The central question is whether the committal phase should proceed under the paper committal framework introduced by the Criminal Law Procedure Act 2024, or whether the provisions of the Fugitive Offenders Act require a traditional oral preliminary inquiry with the opportunity for cross-examination.
Prosecutor Terrance Williams submitted that the 2024 legislative reforms allow for paper committal in certain circumstances, and argued that this approach could be appropriately applied in the present extradition proceedings.
However, defence counsel opposed this position, maintaining that the specific evidential safeguards contained in the Fugitive Offenders Act must prevail, thereby necessitating an oral inquiry, where the defence can challenge the evidence through cross-examination.
Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, who is among the attorneys representing the Mohameds, said the application of paper committal in an extradition case would deprive the accused persons of the right to interrogate the evidence via cross-examination.
After hearing the competing arguments, Magistrate Latchman directed the prosecution to file written submissions on the procedural point to assist the court in determining the appropriate legal pathway for the extradition hearing.
The Mohameds, owners of Mohamed’s Enterprise, who remain on $150,000 bail each, have surrendered their passports, and must report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station as the extradition proceedings continue. They were taken into custody on October 31, 2025, following a request from the US for their extradition.
US prosecutors have accused the father and son of running an international criminal network with alleged links to high offices in Venezuela and the Middle East.
The pair faces 11 criminal counts in the US Southern District of Florida involving alleged wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and customs violations tied to what authorities describe as a US$50 million gold export and tax-evasion scheme.
The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned both men in June 2024 for alleged gold smuggling and public corruption.