Senior Superintendent of Police, Prem Narine yesterday told the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court that he considers businessman and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed a “threat to society and national security”.
His statement came as defence attorney Siand Dhurjon continued to challenge the Special Branch chief over his involvement in the extradition proceedings against Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
Narine remained on the witness stand before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman as Dhurjon questioned his role in the October 31, 2025 arrests of the Mohameds, the instructions he received and the extent of the Special Branch’s involvement in extradition matters.
Dhurjon questioned Narine about the role of the Special Branch, pointing to standing orders which state that the unit “will not be charged with investigation of crime” and noting that it is primarily an intelligence organisation.
Narine disagreed with the suggestion that the Special Branch has no role in extradition matters.
He told the court that he has been head of the Special Branch since July 2024 and that several extradition matters had been dealt with by police during that period.
Dhurjon questioned whether Narine had been instructed by the Commissioner of Police, a commander, the crime chief or a deputy to become involved in the Mohamed matter.
Narine said he could not recall receiving such an instruction.
The attorney also challenged Narine over his recollection of the events of October 31, 2025, pointing out that Narine had recorded information in a notebook or other document on the day and, within a week, prepared a written statement detailing what he had done.
Dhurjon noted that Narine had recalled specific details, including timings surrounding the warrants, his visit to the Attorney General’s Chambers, documents he collected and the arrests.
“I am putting to you that your memory is selective and you’re not being honest with this court,” Dhurjon said.
Narine responded: “That is not true”
Dhurjon also put to Narine that President Irfaan Ali had instructed him to become involved in the matter.
Narine rejected the suggestion.
During the exchange, the Magistrate sought clarification on the relevance of the line of questioning. Narine explained that while an instruction from the President would be privileged, officers would not be bound to follow an instruction if it were illegal.
Dhurjon said the issue was relevant to the defence’s case, arguing that the Special Branch operates through political directives and instructions, which he said was well known within the force.
The prosecution objected, arguing that political motivation formed part of the defence’s case.
Dhurjon maintained that the defence had evidence of statements made by political leaders and that such statements could have emboldened Narine in the steps he took and the evidence he subsequently gave to the court.
Narine was also questioned about whether he had received instructions to deal with the matter on October 31.
He said he would have received an instruction but could not recall who gave it.
Asked whether he had been instructed to execute the arrests of the Mohameds, Narine said he recalled receiving “general instructions.”
The questioning then turned to Narine’s assessment of Azruddin Mohamed.
Narine stated that, based on his knowledge, he considered Mohamed a “threat to society and national security.”
Dhurjon also sought to question Narine about statements made by senior political officials concerning the Mohameds, but the prosecution objected on the basis of relevance.
The defence maintained that those statements were relevant to its case and to the circumstances surrounding the actions taken by Narine.
Earlier during the cross-examination, Dhurjon questioned Narine about police records and the involvement of another officer in the October 31 arrests of the Mohameds
Narine said three books or records he had previously referred to were no longer available, explaining that intelligence considerations prevented such records from being kept.
He also testified that another officer accompanied him to the Attorney General’s Chambers and was present for most of the operation.
Narine said he personally effected the arrests of Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed but did not make the entry concerning them, identifying the other officer as the person who did.
During the proceedings, Narine also said he felt threatened and was concerned about his family’s safety, referring to posts made online.
He described the Mohameds as dangerous people and said he knew what they were “capable of.”
Both Dhurjon and fellow defence attorney Roysdale Forde SC requested that those statements be placed on the record.
Narine remains on the witness stand and under cross-examination as the extradition committal proceedings continue before Chief Magistrate Latchman.
The case will resume on Thursday, September 10, when cross-examination is expected to continue.
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