Guyana Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed remanded over cybercrime
Key Points(5)
- Guyana Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and a police officer have been remanded to prison after being charged under the Cybercrime Act in connection with the alleged unauthorized disclosure of government surveillance footage.
- Mohamed and Police Constable Ryan Greene were denied bail when they appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates' Court on Friday.
- They are scheduled to return to court on Nov.
- The charge, brought under Section 9(2)(b) of the Cybercrime Act, relates to the alleged unauthorized access to and disclosure of electronic data connected to national security.
- The case stems from the alleged downloading and release of surveillance footage showing an Oct.
Guyana Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and a police officer have been remanded to prison after being charged under the Cybercrime Act in connection with the alleged unauthorized disclosure of government surveillance footage.
Mohamed and Police Constable Ryan Greene were denied bail when they appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates' Court on Friday. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 24.
The charge, brought under Section 9(2)(b) of the Cybercrime Act, relates to the alleged unauthorized access to and disclosure of electronic data connected to national security.
The case stems from the alleged downloading and release of surveillance footage showing an Oct. 12 incident in which Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, head of the Guyana Police Force's Special Branch, fired at a vehicle carrying Mohamed. The incident occurred after the vehicle was reportedly intercepted near Narine's residence.
Police have alleged that Greene admitted to downloading the footage from the government's Safe Country surveillance system and that Mohamed paid him GY$800,000 (US$3,828) for the recording. Mohamed subsequently played the footage at a news conference this week.
Mohamed, his driver and a staff member are also on bail in connection with separate allegations involving the possession of firearms and ammunition and attempting to obstruct the course of justice by discharging a loaded firearm near Narine's residence.
Narine is a key witness in proceedings relating to a United States request for the extradition of Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
The media were barred from entering the courtroom during Friday's proceedings.
Following the hearing, Mohamed's attorney, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, said there was “absolutely no basis for the refusal of bail.”
Forde said the magistrate denied bail because Mohamed had previously been granted bail and was accused of committing other offenses.
He also challenged the prosecution's case, arguing that it had failed to establish the elements of the cybercrime offense.
“Mr. Mohamed was charged under Section 9 of the Cyber Crime Act, and a simple reading by a Common Entrance student would understand what are the elements of an offence. It requires for you to obtain something – in this case, data – and requires you to give it to someone. The prosecution’s case has failed to demonstrate the elements of the offence,” he said.
Greene's attorney, Darren Wade, also criticized the bail decision, describing the charge as improper and disputing that the footage constituted information relating to national security.
“The charge of itself is nonsensical,” he said.
Both attorneys said they intended to approach the High Court to seek bail for their clients.
In a statement Friday, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) opposition coalition expressed concern about Mohamed's remand, arguing that the charge involved a nonviolent offense.
“The Bail Act requires a court to have reason to believe, on evidence, that a defendant is likely to commit another offence before bail is refused,” the party said.
“Pending allegations are not convictions, and the presumption of innocence applies. We believe the basis for the finding deserves close scrutiny, and we trust his High Court application will be heard independently and on the evidence alone.”
