Narine admits failing to act on evidence of Mohamed’s alleged involvement in six execution-style killings

(Kaieteur News) – Senior Superintendent of Police and head of the Special Branch, Prem Narine, conceded under cross-examination that despite holding direct authority over the jurisdiction where major violent crimes occurred, he never arrested, interviewed, or charged Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed in connection with six alleged execution-style homicides.

Testifying before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman during the ongoing U.S. extradition committal proceedings involving Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, Narine identified the younger Mohamed as the greatest threat to Guyana’s national security. However, defence attorney Siand Dhurjon challenged the officer’s assertions, forcing admissions regarding police inaction, lack of direct evidence, the destruction of official records, and claims of political bias.

The defence focused heavily on Narine’s previous posting as the Divisional Detective Officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Diamond Police Station, the station holding direct jurisdictional oversight over the Friendship, East Bank Demerara area. Dhurjon pressed Narine on his timeline of events, establishing that while serving in this capacity around 2020 or 2021, an explosion occurred aboard a vessel at Friendship East Bank on the Mohameds’ wharf, resulting in three deaths. Despite holding direct investigative authority at Diamond, Narine admitted under oath that Mohamed was never arrested, placed on a bench, interviewed, or charged for the three wharf deaths, or any other homicide, torture, or bribery allegation. He further acknowledged having intelligence regarding the deaths but admitted he could not recall which superior officer he reported the matter to, stating only that the information was not provided to the crime chief, but restricted to “controlled officers.” Narine also confirmed he was unaware of any court finding anywhere in the world holding Azruddin Mohamed liable for murder, torture, bribery, or worker assaults.