Tigran Gambaryan, an American citizen and Chief Financial Crime Compliance Officer at Binance, has been held in Nigerian custody since February 2024. His detention, initially linked to allegations of tax evasion and money laundering against Binance, has become a grave concern due to the worsening conditions he is facing.
Multiple sources have acknowledged that Gambaryan’s health has taken a significant downturn in recent weeks. According to his family, he is now bedridden, suffering from a herniated disc and recurring throat infections that require urgent surgical intervention. His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, has revealed that he is on blood thinners and has previously endured malaria while in detention. Despite his deteriorating condition, Nigerian prison authorities continue to hold his medical records, further complicating his access to necessary healthcare.
Legal Team Blocked
The situation has been fueled by the decision of Nigerian prison officials to block Gambaryan’s access to his legal team. Since July 26, 2024, Gambaryan has been denied any contact with his lawyers, a move that his family and legal experts argue violates Nigerian regulations and his constitutional rights. This latest development is seen as a significant setback in Gambaryan’s efforts to secure his release and receive the medical care he desperately needs.
The jailed Binance executive’s case has attracted widespread attention, not only due to his high-profile role at Binance but also because of the alarming reports of how he is being treated in detention. Initially, Gambaryan was named as a defendant in both tax evasion and money laundering cases against Binance. Although his name has since been cleared from the tax evasion charges, the money laundering accusations remain, keeping him entangled in a legal battle that has dragged on for months.
Gambaryan’s legal troubles in Nigeria began in February 2024 when he was detained by authorities in connection with the ongoing investigations into Binance’s operations. Despite the complexity of the charges and the international implications, Gambaryan’s health has become the focal point of concern as his condition continues to worsen. His family has expressed deep distress over the situation, particularly the lack of access to his legal team and the apparent disregard for his health needs.
Yuki Gambaryan has made multiple public appeals, pleading for her husband’s release on humanitarian grounds. She has highlighted the severe impact this ordeal has had on their family, emphasizing that Gambaryan’s health is rapidly declining and that he urgently needs specialized medical treatment that cannot be provided in the prison. Her pleas have been met with widespread sympathy, but so far, no concrete action has been taken to address the situation.
The case of the jailed Binance executive also raises broader questions about the treatment of foreign nationals in Nigerian detention facilities. Legal experts have pointed out that the denial of access to legal counsel and medical care not only violates Nigerian law but also international human rights standards. The Nigerian Correctional Service’s actions have drawn criticism for what is perceived as a deliberate attempt to hinder Gambaryan’s defense and prolong his detention.
As the court has adjourned Gambaryan’s hearing until October 11, the delay has only added to the uncertainty surrounding his case. With his health in a critical state, the prospect of remaining in detention for another two months is a matter of grave concern. The international community is closely watching how Nigerian authorities handle the situation, with many calling for immediate intervention to ensure that Gambaryan receives the medical care and legal support he is entitled to.
The ongoing plight of the jailed Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, is a stark reminder of the human cost of legal and procedural delays. His deteriorating health and the continued denial of access to his lawyers have placed him in an increasingly perilous situation. As the October hearing date approaches, his family, along with many observers, are urging Nigerian authorities to take immediate action to address his medical needs and ensure that he receives a fair and just legal process.
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