Justice Courtney Abel, a prominent Caribbean jurist, has expressed significant concern regarding the United States' decision to restrict the travel of Guyanese Judge Gino Persaud. During a Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association conference, Abel argued that the sudden review of Persaud's visa, which prevented his transit through Florida, functions as an effective sanction against a sitting judge. The incident follows Persaud's ruling against the Guyana Revenue Authority in a tax evasion case involving the Mohamed family, who are currently facing separate US legal actions. While US officials maintain that visa reviews are standard procedures based on new information, Abel emphasized that the timing and context raise critical questions about the potential for foreign executive power to influence judicial autonomy. He warned that such unexplained measures could intimidate other members of the judiciary, regardless of whether the US government officially labels the restriction as a formal punitive action.
Source : Demerara Waves
