The Guyana Police Force says a second policeman is implicated in the alleged unlawful download and removal of government surveillance footage that Opposition Leader and WIN leader Azruddin Mohamed played at a press conference on Monday. The allegations are contained in a police affidavit and have not been tested in court.
What the police allege
In an affidavit opposing a habeas corpus application, CID Cadet Officer Stephan Hinds said police believe another officer stationed at the Command Centre is involved, Demerara Waves reported on October 28. He said the case file will go to the Director of Public Prosecutions once investigations are complete.
Hinds alleged that 20-year-old Constable Ryan Greene admitted downloading the video in exchange for GY$800,000, which police say was handed over by Mohamed’s driver, Eugene Thorne, on October 24. He said Greene’s mother confirmed receiving money and handed GY$300,000 to investigators. The police legal adviser found that “several serious criminal offences may have been committed,” according to the affidavit.
Mohamed was arrested at his Eccles home on Wednesday afternoon in connection with the probe, police confirmed.
The defence
Ryan Greene’s father, Randy Greene, has asked the High Court to produce and release his son and wife. Through lawyer Darren Wade, he disputes that any admission was made or that it was voluntary, argues that the footage was evidence the State was obliged to disclose in pending criminal proceedings, and says police breached the presumption of innocence by publicising alleged admissions before any charge. “A conspiracy to commit felony has no legal content unless the felony is identified,” Wade said. The matter is pending.
Mohamed has said the video shows Special Branch head Senior Superintendent Prem Narine firing at the car Mohamed was travelling in on October 12, and that it disproves police claims that a shot was fired from the vehicle. Mohamed and two employees are on bail on firearm charges and a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice; Mohamed, through his lawyer, denies the allegations.
Questions for WIN
Demerara Waves reported no response from Mohamed or WIN to the latest allegations. Whatever the merits of the footage, the Opposition Leader’s office now faces basic accountability questions:
- How did Mohamed come to possess the surveillance footage?
- Did anyone acting for him pay for it, as police allege, or is that claim false?
- Will WIN cooperate with the investigation while defending its leader’s rights?
These questions come on top of the US indictment of Mohamed and his father on charges including wire fraud and money laundering, which they are contesting, including through a court challenge to Guyana’s extradition law. The man who holds the constitutional office of Leader of the Opposition owes the public clear answers.
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