Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed yesterday released CCTV footage that he says supports his allegation that Head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, fired at him during a late-night encounter in Kitty, Georgetown, on October 12.
At a press conference, Mohamed played several surveillance clips and displayed still images, using them to challenge aspects of the official account of the incident, which left him and two associates facing criminal charges.
The footage, which Mohamed said was obtained from persons within the Special Branch, included clips showing vehicles travelling along Barr Street, where Narine resides, and subsequent movements involving the vehicles and police ranks near the junction of Vlissengen Road and Sandy Babb Street.
One clip shown at the press conference appeared to capture Narine exiting a white vehicle at the intersection while holding what appeared to be a firearm. Mohamed alleged that the footage showed the senior officer firing in his direction while he was inside the vehicle.
He further said that shots struck the vehicle and that additional shots were fired even after he raised his hands.
“As I was sitting in the car, two shots hit the right side of the car,” Mohamed said, recounting the incident. He said that Narine continued firing after he raised his hands.
Mohamed also presented footage that he said showed him being forced to the ground and restrained by police personnel following the interception of the vehicle. He accused the officers of using excessive force and questioned their conduct during the arrest.
The Opposition Leader disputed the description of his vehicle as heavily tinted, pointing to images which he said showed him seated in the front passenger seat rather than the back, as stated in the Government’s account.
He also acknowledged that the vehicle passed Narine’s residence twice that night but denied that he or his driver stopped or exited the car there.
Mohamed maintained that he was investigating concerns about what he described as the misuse of police resources, including vehicles and officers stationed near Narine’s residence. He said he had also been responding to concerns raised by parents about a defective gate at Rama Krishna Primary School in Kitty.
The incident occurred at about 11:45 p.m. on October 12, when Mohamed was travelling in a black Toyota Allion with his driver, Eugene Thorne, and videographer Mario Mohamed.
According to the Guyana Police Force’s initial account, Narine was at home when he observed the vehicle travelling slowly along Barr Street before it returned a short while later. Police said Narine heard what appeared to be a gunshot, took cover and discharged several rounds from his service firearm in the direction of the vehicle as it drove away.
The vehicle was subsequently intercepted at the junction of Vlissengen Road and Sandy Babb Street. Mohamed, Thorne and Mario Mohamed were arrested.
Police reported that a search of the vehicle uncovered a .32 Taurus pistol without a serial number and three live rounds of ammunition. Investigators also recovered one .32 spent shell near Narine’s residence and four 9mm spent shells. The items were lodged for ballistic examination.
Mohamed has denied possessing or firing the weapon and has questioned the circumstances surrounding its discovery. He has alleged that the firearm was planted, while members of his party have called for an independent investigation into the searches and the handling of the vehicle.
The Government has offered a different account, stating that a gunshot was heard and that Narine returned fire. It has also pointed to the fact that Narine is a witness in the ongoing extradition proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, and has raised concerns about witness safety.
Following the October 12 incident, Mohamed, Thorne and Mario Mohamed were charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and attempting to obstruct the course of justice. All three pleaded not guilty and were granted bail totalling $750,000 each. The matter was adjourned to November 6.
Mohamed said on Monday that he intends to pursue private criminal charges against Narine by the middle of November, maintaining that the senior officer should be held accountable for his actions.
He also questioned why the authorities had not publicly released the surveillance footage and said he intended to share his material with members of the diplomatic community.
Questions have also been raised about the rules of engagement for police if they believe that they are in danger. The number and rapidity of shots fired by Narine has come under scrutiny.
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