A Guyana-based Brazilian man, wanted by the authorities in Brazil, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday fighting his extradition to that country.
Junior Da Silva of Lot 23 Hadfield Street Georgetown is reportedly wanted for aggravated theft, which is equivalent to armed robbery in Guyana.
Da Silva’s attorney told the magistrate that he was aware that his client was wanted in Brazil. He said his client, a dual citizen with both Guyanese and Brazilian citizenship, was being compliant with the Brazilian authorities by appearing virtually for his hearings.
However, Prosecutor Mandel Moore revealed that Da Silva also had criminal charges against him in Guyana and had failed to show up for his court appearances.
Da Silva’s attorney pleaded with the magistrate to grant his client bail stating that he will have to surrender physically to the courts in Brazil and if remanded it will cause a hindrance. He also pointed out that Da Silva was kept in custody for more than 72 hours after his arrest here.
Moore cited section 15:3 of the Bail Act, under which he said the court can allow for detention up to 30 days in cases which involve red notices.
He informed the magistrate that a red notice was enough to keep the defendant remanded until a decision is made by the chief magistrate. He said the prosecution was in possession of a Brazilian birth certificate which shows that the defendant was born in Brazil; no evidence was given to support his dual citizenship.
As a result Magistrate Latchman remanded Da Silva until tomorrow, when the chief magistrate will handle the matter.
