Guyana Extradition Showdown Escalates As CCJ Steps In

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Mar. 26, 2026: A high-stakes extradition battle in Guyana has taken a dramatic turn, with the Caribbean Court of Justice, (CCJ) stepping in to temporarily halt proceedings involving Guyana’s new opposition leader, business man Azruddin Mohamed of the We Invest In Nationhood party and his father, Nazar Mohamed.

FLASHBACK – Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed arrives at his swearing in to parliament on Nov. 3rd.

In a significant legal development, the region’s apex court on Tuesday granted a stay of the ongoing extradition process, effectively pausing efforts to surrender the two men to the United States while their latest legal challenge is reviewed.

The decision came during a virtual case management hearing, where attorneys representing both the applicants and the State appeared before the court to outline the next steps in the matter. The stay order immediately suspends proceedings before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where the extradition case had been advancing.

The ruling marks the latest escalation in a legal saga that has drawn regional and international attention, given the serious nature of the allegations and the involvement of U.S. authorities.

The Mohameds are wanted in the United States on multiple charges, including money laundering, wire fraud, tax evasion and bribery. The accusations are reportedly tied to large-scale gold exports and the alleged evasion of significant revenues.

Guyana authorities acted on the U.S. request in October 2025, arresting the businessmen and initiating extradition proceedings shortly thereafter.

Since then, the case has moved through several levels of the local judicial system, with the Mohameds mounting repeated legal challenges in an effort to block their extradition.

However, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal rejected those challenges, clearing the way for the matter to proceed. In a particularly strong ruling, the Court of Appeal described the case as having “absolutely no merit,” reinforcing the State’s position.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had signalled just one day earlier that the government was fully prepared to defend those rulings at the CCJ, emphasizing that applicants seeking special leave must meet strict legal thresholds, including demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success.

Despite those hurdles, the Mohameds moved directly to the CCJ, filing for special leave to appeal and naming several State officials as respondents, including Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, the Attorney General, and Magistrate Latchman.

Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein and Roysdale Forde are representing the applicants, while Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes is among the attorneys appearing for the State.

The CCJ’s decision to grant a stay does not determine the outcome of the case but signals that the court is prepared to examine the legal arguments before allowing extradition to proceed.

The appeal is expected to be heard next month.

The case has broader implications beyond the courtroom, raising questions about the balance between domestic judicial authority, regional legal oversight, and international cooperation in criminal matters.

For now, the extradition process remains on hold – but the legal and political stakes continue to rise.