Mohamed's High Court bail review adjourned to November 12
The High Court adjourned Mohamed's cybercrime bail challenge to November 12. He remains in custody.
GEORGETOWN — The High Court on Wednesday, November 4, adjourned Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed's challenge to the refusal of bail in his cybercrime case until November 12, after allowing his legal team to file additional evidence.
Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif granted permission for Mohamed to file an affidavit in his own name. A ruling is expected on November 13.
The application, filed by Mohamed's mother, Bonita Mohamed, seeks to overturn the October 30 decision of Magistrate Abigail Gibbs to refuse him bail in a case involving the alleged unauthorised acquisition and disclosure of police surveillance footage.
Mohamed remains in custody.
Affidavit challenged
During Wednesday's hearing, Attorney General Anil Nandlall challenged portions of the 136-paragraph affidavit submitted by Bonita Mohamed, arguing that some statements amounted to hearsay, contained irrelevant material or made unsupported allegations against State agencies.
Defence attorneys Roysdale Forde and Siand Dhurjon said they needed time to correct deficiencies in the original filing and sought permission to present an affidavit from Mohamed himself, arguing that his continued detention warranted urgent consideration.
Justice Chandra-Hanif allowed the additional filing, directing that the evidence comply with the applicable rules and address matters relevant to the bail decision.
Prison conditions
Mohamed's lawyers also raised concerns about his detention at Lusignan Prison.
Forde alleged that the Opposition Leader was being held in isolation, subjected to constant lighting and allowed only limited time outside his cell.
Nandlall disputed those claims, citing prison records that he said contradicted them.
The judge said she expected the State and the prison service to ensure that the conditions under which Mohamed is being held are not oppressive.
Two separate bail proceedings
Wednesday's hearing concerns the cybercrime case in which Mohamed and Police Constable Ryan Greene were charged over the alleged unlawful handling of police CCTV footage. Both were remanded on October 30.
A second constable, Ashton Chappelle, has also been charged in connection with the investigation.
The case is separate from the United States extradition proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
On November 3, Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman refused for a second consecutive day to revoke Mohamed's bail in that matter.
The ruling did not lead to his release because he remains remanded in the cybercrime case, which is due back in the magistrate's court on November 24.
