Category: CANA News

The Court of Appeal has reserved its ruling in the constitutional challenge brought by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his businessman father, businessman Nazar Mohamed, regarding the country’s extradition treaty, and the constitutionality of the Fugitive Offenders Act.

The matter was held in the absence of the Opposition Leader who remains in custody over the shooting incident near the home of head of the Special Branch, Prem Narine on Tuesday morning.

Appearing before acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Roxane George and justices Rishi Persaud and Nareshwar Harnanan, attorneys for the Mohammeds argued that Section 8 (3) (b) of the Fugitive Offenders Act guards against a citizen of Guyana being extradited to a third state without the consent of the Minister, but that safeguard is not embedded in the treaty.

The lawyers argue that both the 1931 Extradition Treaty between the United Kingdom and the US, which was adopted by Guyana, and sections of the Fugitive Offenders Act are inconsistent with the Constitution.

Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde told the Court that the Act mandates that the protection against extradition to a third State must be embedded in the treaty arrangement.

He said the assurances offered by the US through Diplomatic Notes is not sufficient arguing that diplomatic notes came five weeks after the request for extradition was made.

‘The safeguard does two things. It keeps with Guyana, through its Minister, the decision whether a person Guyana has surrendered may be sent on to a third State. And it protects the liberty of the person, because Parliament attached the condition not only to extradition but to committal and to custody. Article 139 of the Constitution permits a person’s liberty to be taken only as authorized by law,’ Forde said.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall told the Court of Appeal that the United States had given the Guyana government the assurance the Mohamed would not be extradited to a third State.

He said that Article 7 of the Treaty provides that protection.

‘The treaty now is being Guyana and the US. It does not speak to any other territory. It doesn’t speak to any activity outside of the United States and Guyana. And in this case, a request as been made for two citizens of Guyana and the request is being processed in accordance with law.

‘If it eventuates in the extradition of the two applicants, they are only to be dealt with in the United States…there is no third State that is contemplated by the treaty,’ Nandlall said, arguing further that the US has since offered Guyana the assurances that the Mohameds will not be extradited to a third state for any other offence.

‘Very early, the State of Guyana recognized that it was going to be a legal issue and solicited from the United States of America in relation to the existing treaty arrangements, as countries do in extradition cases, we sought from the United States of America through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs an assurance that should these two individuals be extradited to the United States of America, give us that assurance the United States of America that you will not send them to a third States…and the Americans through the appropriate channel have furnished that assurance,’ Nandlall added.

Until a decision is handed down, the earlier order issued by the Appeal Court preventing the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court from issuing its final decision in the extradition proceedings remain enforced. The extradition hearings, however, are allowed to continue.

The Mohameds were indicted in the United States in October 2025 on charges including wire/mail fraud, money laundering, and bribery linked to a US$50 million gold smuggling and tax evasion scheme.

Justice George-Wiltshire did not give a date for the ruling, saying that the Court of Appeal needed time to peruse the more than 2,000 pages of submissions. Even if the magistrate completes the extradition hearing, she has to await the Court of Appeal’s decision before issuing her decision on whether the Mohameds are to be committed.

Barbadian middle-order batsman Kevin Wickham is in line to make his debut for the West Indies after being named in a 15-member squad to tour Bangladesh for two Test matches beginning later this month.

The regional side will take on Bangladesh in two Test matches, with the first scheduled for October 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, while the second match is slated to begin on November 5 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

The 23-year-old Wickham earned his selection following an impressive performance in this year’s West Indies Championship where he scored three consecutive centuries.

He is expected to bolster the middle order against a Bangladesh side that has been traditionally tough to beat at home.

However, white-ball captain Shai Hope and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph have not been included, with the workload of both players being managed.

Hope is being rested for the series after an extended run across all three formats. With the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier scheduled for February next year, CWI is managing his workload and wellness through the period in the lead up to the Qualifier.

Meanwhile, Joseph, who earlier this year returned to action after recovering from a lower back injury, has been withdrawn from the series following a routine medical assessment and specialist consultation. With Joseph’s agreement, CWI has taken the decision to manage his workload, seeking to avert the risk of injury associated with the increased physical demands of red-ball cricket.

While he is not ruled out from shorter formats, the medical team believes the demands of two consecutive Test matches in Bangladesh present a significantly greater workload and injury risk than the shorter white-ball formats.

In the meantime, Joseph will continue working with the CWI medical team and specialists in preparation for a full return to the longer format.

In his absence, all-rounder Keemo Paul has been called up for the series.

Opener John Campbell has demonstrated his return to fitness after the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Pakistan series in the Caribbean, while Justin Greaves, who sustained a similar injury in the recently concluded One Day International series against India, has also been included for the series that marks the end of their current 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Surprisingly, left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican has retained his spot in the squad despite a series of underwhelming performances.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said a win against Bangladesh would move the regional squad one step closer to achieving their goal.

With a series win over the Tigers, the Windies could climb to sixth in the ICC Test rankings at the conclusion of the current cycle, after finishing the 2023-2025 cycle ranked eighth.

‘At the start of this World Test Championship cycle we set ourselves goals, and one of them was to finish in the top half of the rankings.

‘Winning this series would move us closer to it. Playing Bangladesh in their own conditions will be challenging, and we’re ready for that,’ Sammy said.

Squad members not involved in the T20I series in India have begun their preparations at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai under assistant coach Floyd Reifer, including Amir Jangoo, who joined the group after the first T20I in Lucknow.

The full squad arrives in Bangladesh on October 18 for a three-day warm-up match in Dhaka.

WEST INDIES SQUAD: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Wickham.

Guyana has launched the EDPal Plus Learning App and the Media Mentorship Programme aimed at widening education access and promoting the integration of technology into teaching and learning across Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

The Ministry of Education’s Distance Education Unit (DEU) said the app is an improved version of the EDPal App launched in September 2023.

Speaking at the launch, EDYOU FM’s principal Phillip Williams said the unit operates on the philosophy that a person’s physical address should not determine access to educational resources.

‘The platform takes EDPal to the next step to EDPal Plus. It features smoother operation and more access to information from the Ministry of Education. We are particularly proud…Now, for the first time, anybody with the app can access the seven channels right in the palm of your hands; that’s big,’ Williams said, adding that the unithad listened to the feedback after launching the first version.

‘EDPal is a cornerstone of the Ministry of Education’s digital transformation in Guyana; that’s how important it is. We are proud of what we are launching today; we are happy about the foundation we have set, and that will be built upon even long after we are gone,’ Williams said.

Meanwhile, the Media Mentorship Programme brings together students from various secondary schools across Guyana for two weeks for mentorship in photography, videography, pre-production, video editing and audio production.

‘We wanted to take that talent and provide an avenue for younger individuals to benefit from the experience and knowledge that our creatives have to offer,’ said production manager, Jonathan Jacobus.

The media mentorship programme will include a theoretical framework for various creative skills, as well as provide mentees with hands-on sessions with seasoned media professionals.

Education Minister Philip Jackson has expressed concern over the state of youth violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after a student of secondary school died after he had been discovered with multiple stab wounds over the last weekend.

Jackson speaking on a radio programme here, said that Tafari Browne, a Form 3, died Monday at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

Media reports said that the student was found in Arnos Vale on Friday with multiple stab wounds and had been in the Intensive Care Unit of the MCMH up to the time of his death.

Jackson said he had spoken with Browne’s grandmother and planned to contact the student’s mother, who was in England, offering condolences to the family as well as the student’s classmates.

The Education Minister said that he had been informed by the chief education officer that while many students were grieving, officials had also encountered ‘a very heartbreaking case of a lack of empathy’ among some students.

‘And that really shook me up. I have to admit it to the entire nation. She said that the lack of empathy in the passing of a fellow student was very heartbreaking for them,’ Jackson said, adding that ministry officials and counsellors were at the school to support the community.

Jackson called youth violence a national challenge and said the death had made him question whether adults fully understood what young people were experiencing.

‘This one really make me aware that the problem is much, much deeper than any of us probably imagine,’ he said, urging a broad response involving civil society, religious communities, government agencies, schools and communities.

‘It’s going to take a serious effort,’ he said, calling for young people to have safe places to express themselves. He said at schools, greater attention should be given to values education, conflict resolution, empathy, teamwork and community spirit.

‘Wherever we are, let’s try to keep the peace, advance and promote peace, and be open to our young people,’ he said.

In a statement, Youth Minister, Kaschaka Cupid, desscribed Browne’s death as ‘a heartbreaking tragedy.

‘As Minister of Youth, I am deeply saddened by the loss of another young life to violence. We cannot allow these acts to become normalised in our society. We must take a firm stance as a nation,’he said, adding that ‘government, families, schools, communities, and young people must work together to confront violence, promote peaceful conflict resolution, and protect our youth.

‘This is a national responsibility, and the time to act is now. We must unite to build a safer St. Vincent and the Grenadines where our young people can live and thrive without fear,’ he said in the statement.

Imran Khan smashed an impressive century to lead West Indies Over-40s to a comprehensive 159-run victory over a Rest of the Caribbean (ROTC) team in a practice match on Monday as part of preparations for the upcoming International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup.

Khan scored a blistering 129 off just 80 balls with 14 fours and eight sixes, as West Indies compiled a competitive 285 for five at the Police Sports Club ground after batting first.

Batting at number six, Khan dominated an unbroken 122-run stand with his skipper Denesh Ramdin who contributed 32.

Imran Khan

Opener Sewnarine Chattergoon was also among the runs, scoring 35.

Off-spinner Lokeshwar Mahabeer was the main wicket-taker for ROTC with 4-60 from his maximum eight overs.

ROTC then crumbled in their run chase to be bowled out for 126 in the 23rd over.

Asif Chand topscored with 32 while Vinai Hingoo added 22. Rakesh Maharaj led the way for the West Indies snaring 2-2.

The match served as preparations for both teams for the 45-over tournament, which bowls off on Saturday in Guyana.

West Indies have been placed in Group A and will start their campaign against Australia at the National Stadium, Providence, while the ROTC are in Group B and will open their participation against Pakistan at Bourda.

West Indies will play their next warmup match against USA on Thursday at Providence while ROTC team will tackle Australia the same day at Lusignan.

Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken has confirmed that his embattled deputy, Fizal Karimbaksh, who is accused of raping a female police officer, is back at work two days after he had threatened to legally challenge a decision to send him on administrative or pre-retirement leave pending the outcome of a probe because there is no functioning Police Service Commission (PSC)retirement leave.

Last week, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed that the Deputy Commissioner had been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him.

Fizal Karimbaksh,

The GPF said that Hicken, following receipt of the report, established a team to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.

It said that additionally, the female Police Inspector who made the report has been transferred from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’.

But Karimbaksh, through his attorney’s letter dated October 7, had threatened to take legal action against the GPF if he is forced out of office ahead of his retirement in April 2027.

Karimbaksh is contending that the Commissioner of Police has no lawful authority to impose such leave on his client.

‘No applicable statutory power or operative written delegation authorising that course has been identified or furnished. Any purported exercise of disciplinary control must conform to article 212 of the Constitution; describing an enforced absence as administrative leave does not dispense with the requirement for lawful authority’, the attorney wrote.

In a second letter to the Police Commissioner, the attorney for the Deputy Commissioner said that there had been no separate written decision placing Karimbaksh on administrative leave, suspending him or otherwise defining the basis and conditions of his exclusion from his office.

The Aatorney also stated that he had not been provided with any applicable statutory provision authorizing the measure.

In response, the Police Commissioner informed the Deputy Commissioner that he was rescinding and withdrawing his previous letter by which leave was granted with immediate effect.

In the letter, icken said the decision was taken upon further consideration of the constitutional and legal framework governing the exercise of authority in respect of the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police, including the respective powers of the President, the Police Service Commission, and the Commissioner of Police.

Hicken said accordingly, the letter sending Karimbaksh on leave shall cease to have effect, and any further action concerning the grant of leave shall be undertaken by the appropriate authority in accordance with the Constitution and applicable law.

Meanwhile, the investigations into the rape and sexual assault allegations filed against the Deputy Commissioner are ongoing.

Police Tuesday confirmed that they had arrested Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two of his workers following an incident near the home of the head of the Special Branch Unit, Prem Narine.

In the statement, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said it is investigating an alleged discharge of a loaded firearm with intent and possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence, following the incident. The statement said that Narine was at his residence when he reported that he observed a black Toyota Allion motor car bearing registration number PXX 5300 travelling slowly along Barr Street.

‘Investigations further revealed that as the vehicle approached his residence on the second occasion, Senior Superintendent Narine heard what appeared to be a gunshot. He took cover and discharged several rounds from his service firearm in the direction of the vehicle, which subsequently drove away,’ the police said in the statement.

It said the motor car was later intercepted with three occupants who were later identified as Mohamed, and two of his workers, Mario Mohamed and Eugene Thorne. They were arrested and escorted to the Kitty Police Station.

According to the police statement, a search of the motor car led to the discovery of a .32 Taurus pistol without a serial number, along with three live rounds of .32 ammunition. The three men were subsequently arrested in connection with possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.

The police also stated that a .32 spent shell was recovered opposite the Narine’s residence while four 9mm spent shells were also recovered.

The firearm, ammunition and spent shells were lodged pending ballistic examination, while CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed as part of the investigation, according to the police statement.

But in a live video broadcast that was being carried out by Mohamed’s sister on social media, the Opposition Leader repeatedly stated that there was an attempt on his life by Narine, who he said fired gunshots repeatedly at the car he was in.

Mohamed reportedly claims that he and his workers were in the area to document what they regard as an abuse of state resources with a large police presence outside the home of the head of the Special Branch.

Mohamed also claimed in the broadcast that the weapon found by the police in the car was planted.

Mohamed and his lawyer, Siand Dhurjon, said the firearm that was located under the accelerator pedal was planted there by police.

The incident on Tuesday occurred several hours before Mohamed is due to appear at the Guyana Court of Appeal for a civil case challenging the constitutionality of several provisions of the Fugitive Offenders Act.

Narine, who has been on the witness stand in the extradition hearing before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman, has deemed Mohamed a threat to national security and cited his alleged involvement in a number of homicides. He has never been charged with any of those alleged offences.

Two initiatives aimed at advancing climate action across the Caribbean got underway here on Tuesday focusing on geospatial training, satellite data and artificial intelligence among other issues.

The event has brought together more than 50 climate professionals, including government officials, climate finance experts and regional development partners and is being organised by the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).

The delegates will also discuss a Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) Regional Stocktake to assess progress, share lessons and identify priorities for accelerating climate finance access in the region.

‘As climate risks intensify, the Caribbean must strengthen its capacity to access and manage climate finance. The Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub’s achievements demonstrate how targeted technical assistance and strong partnerships can unlock resources for resilient development, ensuring no Caribbean nation is left behind,’ said Diane Wade-Moore, head of the Programme Development and Management Department at the Belize-based CCCCC.

Geospatial technology refers to a range of tools used to collect, analyse, and display location-specific data, and is used in the Caribbean to help countries effectively plan climate action.

Speaking during the opening session of the geospatial data applications training, Uzoamaka Nwamarah, head of the Climate Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said the ‘value of climate data lies not simply in what it reveals about the risks we face, but in how effectively we use it to protect our people, strengthen our economies and unlock investments for climate action’.

She also thanked the Azerbaijan government for its support through the COP29 Presidency Commonwealth Fund for SIDS under the project ‘AI and Space Data for Climate Solutions.’ On Thursday, participants will review CCFAH’s support to Caribbean countries, strengthening their capacity to access international climate finance and contributing to the mobilisation of more than US$58 million for climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives across the region.

Participants will also assess the Hub’s achievements, share country experiences and identify priorities for strengthening climate finance access across the Caribbean.

Through the deployment of Climate Finance Advisers, CCFAH has supported eight Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and St Lucia.

Advisers work alongside governments to strengthen institutional capacity, develop investment-ready projects and advance national climate priorities. The CCCCC supports the CCFAH programme’s regional delivery by hosting the Commonwealth Regional Climate Finance Adviser, who provides climate finance coordination, project development support and technical assistance across Caribbean countries.

This arrangement extends assistance to countries without nationally embedded advisers and strengthens regional collaboration

For Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), limited technical capacity and complex funding requirements remain significant barriers to securing climate finance.

The Barbados activities address these challenges by strengthening technical skills and creating space for countries and partners to examine how future assistance can better respond to regional needs.

The regional stocktake will examine programme results, lessons learned and emerging climate finance priorities, with the CCCCC contributing insights on regional needs and opportunities for stronger technical assistance and collaboration.

The activities will conclude on Thursday with practical recommendations to inform the next phase of CCFAH support and ensure that future interventions respond to Caribbean countries’ evolving needs and priorities.

Barbados star midfielder Thierry Gale reaffirmed his commitment to giving back to the football community with a donation of footballs to Premier League outfit Paradise Football Club, one of the clubs he proudly represented during his football journey.

The donation formed part of Gale’s Giveback Day initiative, reflecting his desire to support the development of football at the community level and give back to a club that played a pivotal role in his career.

Gale, 24, who plays for Bolton Wanderers in the English Football League Championship, was back on the island representing the national team in the CONCACAF Nations League.

The footballs were officially accepted by the club’s president Adrian Donovan and team captain Jomo Harris.

In a gesture of appreciation, the club presented Gale with a commemorative photo plaque. Speaking on the initiative, Gale said: ‘It is always a special feeling to give back to a club that was part of my journey. Paradise Football Club is one of the teams I had the privilege of representing, and I understand the importance of having the right resources to train, develop and compete.

‘Football has given me so much, and I believe it is important to give back wherever I can. I hope these footballs will be put to good use and help inspire the next generation of players.’

Donovan welcomed the donation, highlighting the significance of Gale’s gesture and the value of maintaining strong relationships with former players.

‘On behalf of Paradise Football Club, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to Thierry Gale for remembering the club and making this contribution. Donations such as these can make a meaningful difference to our players and our day-to-day training activities. We are proud to see one of our former players giving back, and we hope his example will encourage others to continue supporting the development of football in our community,’ Donovan said.

Meanwhile, Harris also expressed gratitude for the contribution.

‘We are grateful to Thierry for this thoughtful gesture. As players, we know how important it is to have the equipment needed to train properly and continue improving. This donation will be beneficial to the squad, and it is encouraging to see someone who represented the club return to support its continued progress. We appreciate the gesture and wish him every success in his career,’ Harris said.

Doctors employed with the Dominica China Friendship Hospital have ended their protest action after being given the assurance that their outstanding salaries will be paid by midday on Wednesday.

General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang, told reporters that some doctors have not been paid their salaries dating back to July and that they have been sent home without no idea ‘whether they will be rehired or not’.

More than 80 doctors and other staff at the hospital protested over the late payments and other issues with the chief executive officer of the Dominica Hospitals Authority (DPA), Dr. Kenneth Darroux, describing the protest action as ‘a bit unfortunate’.

‘As you can imagine, as the CEO, today has been a very difficult morning for me. First and foremost, trying to strike a balance, of course, between the well-being of staff and also that services continue at the hospital,’ Darroux told reporters following a meeting with the protesters and the union.

‘Let me just say that the events of today are just a bit unfortunate in terms of the culmination really of an exercise that began sometime earlier this year, a joint exercise with the Ministry of Health, where we realised that, of course, with the advent of the board, there were a number of employees, including doctors, some 80-something employees who were employed at the hospital, with really no clear job tenure.’

Darroux said that the exercise began in January thanking all stakeholders including the Health Minister Cassanni Laville for their efforts ‘in getting this thing to a conclusion.

‘I want to put for the record that I did meet with all the categories of staff last week, Wednesday, to explain to them the situation. I tried as much as possible to be transparent with all of them, give them the chronological events leading up to where we were, and, of course, also give them reassurance that all efforts were being made to ensure that they get paid.

‘Again, I’m thanking the Minister…for making himself available. Clearly, the assurance was given that salaries will be paid before the end of tomorrow,’ Darroux said, noting that an assurance had been given ‘that this is not going to reoccur, because, as I said, Cabinet have approved the necessary papers, the necessary recommendations to deal with this’.

He insisted that the situation was ‘never really been a financial issue, more an administrative human resource issue.

‘ Again, it’s unfortunate, as I said, it’s very, very unfortunate that it had to, you know, this climax, you know, into this unfortunate event today.’ Darroux added.

For his part, Letang said that the doctors and other stakeholders are pleased with the outcome.

‘ We met, we had a good discussion. The officers will be paid their salaries by noon, that is tomorrow, noon tomorrow. The allowances, they will have to verify on the allowances, who is being owed, what are the different allowances, and then a meeting is planned with the Minister …on Friday, where he will provide us with updates as to how some of the issues are going to be addressed and settled.’.

Letang said that the doctors had an opportunity to ‘personally talk about some of the issues affecting them and the way moving forward.

‘So, I think it was a very good meeting, and I think, so far, I can see the result that we wanted, we have seen it, but we are not going to rest until all matters are addressed and dealt with once and for all,’ Letang told reporters.