TLDR
- Since February 2024, Tigran Gambaryan, who served at Binance, has been confined within a Nigerian correctional facility.
- His well-being has taken a nosedive with ailments such as a herniated disc, severe tonsillitis, and issues with movement.
- Gambaryan’s counsel hasn't been allowed to visit him since the end of July 2024.
- His family insists on his urgent release for medical treatment, highlighting humanitarian concerns.
- A court date has been slated for October 11, 2024, to deliberate his case further.
Tigran Gambaryan, who previously headed Binance’s financial crime compliance, grapples with severe health crises while being detained in Nigeria.
Gambaryan's tenure as Binance's head of compliance marks a significant part of his career. He has been held since earlier in 2024, following a meeting with Nigerian officials in the capital. Statements reveal his rapid health decline while held in Kuje Prison near the Nigerian capital, suffering from significant health issues that demand urgent medical intervention including surgery.
His limited mobility requires him to rely on anticoagulants, portraying a bedridden and wheelchair-dependent condition. Beyond his spinal issues, Gambaryan has also struggled with persistent throat infections and pneumonia, necessitating tonsil removal. He has also contended with malaria and even fainted during a May court session.
Yuki, Gambaryan's wife, last saw him just before his initial trip to Nigeria, describing the heartbreaking impact of his prolonged absence on her family and their young children.
\"My husband has been stuck far from home for months on a business trip, and his dire health condition is worsening,\" she shared.
The legal team's exclusion from the prison since July 2024, sparks concerns about his rights to appropriate legal access under Nigerian law.
Despite the unclear situation, Gambaryan was summoned for a meeting in February, leading to his arrest and confiscation of his passport.
Both Gambaryan and Binance strongly deny the money laundering charges levied by Nigeria’s EFCC, which claims about $35 million flowed illicitly through Binance.
The ongoing legal case has caught the attention of U.S. politicians, with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick visiting Gambaryan during a humanitarian mission, emphasizing the plight of detained Americans.
\"Efforts are ongoing to bring detained Americans home, including Tigran, as suffering continues under harsh conditions,\" commented Fitzpatrick.
The journey to repatriating American citizens like Gambaryan continues amidst worldwide detention hardships, underscored by governmental commitments.
— A statement from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick highlights the ongoing advocacy for wrongfully detained individuals globally.
In a previous development, Nigerian authorities dropped tax-related charges against Gambaryan; however, the investigation into Binance persists.
Legal proceedings for Gambaryan's situation are set to continue on October 11, 2024, after a local court recess, as his family seeks humanitarian intervention. August 10, 2024
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