Guyana is covering the legal fees in the ongoing extradition proceedings of United States-indicted businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, in keeping with standard practice and treaty obligations governing extradition cases between the countries.
The government has approved a payment of US$62,558 to Jamaican King’s Counsel Terrence F. Williams, who, along with attorneys Herbert McKenzie and Celine Deidrick, was retained to represent the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the matter of The Commissioner of Police vs. Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed. The payment will be facilitated through the Bank of Guyana, according to an official document seen by the News Room.
The attorneys, renowned across the Caribbean for their expertise in extradition cases, were engaged following advice from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who confirmed that the arrangement aligns with international standards.
The U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual (7 FAM 1618) clearly sets out that fiscal responsibility in extradition matters generally falls to the requested country—in this case, Guyana. The section titled “Fiscal Responsibility” states:
“Most extradition treaties require the costs of extradition proceedings (other than translation of documents and costs associated with the transfer of the fugitive) to be borne by the requested country.”
In this instance, while the United States has brought the indictments and initiated the extradition request, the financial obligations associated with the local proceedings fall under Guyana’s remit as the requested state.
The United Kingdom–United States Extradition Treaty, which Guyana inherited at independence in 1966, further supports this framework.
Article 13 of that treaty notes that “all expenses connected with the extradition shall be borne by the High Contracting Party making the application.” In practice, the U.S. State Department clarifies that countries receiving an extradition request typically bear the costs related to local court proceedings, including legal representation.
The extradition case stems from a request by the Government of the United States of America for the surrender of Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, who were indicted by a U.S. Grand Jury in the Southern District of Florida on multiple counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering linked to a gold export operation valued at approximately US$50 million.
Attorney General Nandlall has also indicated that the decision to select lawyers from outside Guyana—approved by the U.S. government—was intended to maintain transparency and prevent any perception of bias.
The extradition hearings are ongoing in local Magistrates’ Courts as Guyana seeks to meet its treaty-based responsibilities in the matter.
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