Nigeria Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Denied Access To Lawyers As Health “Rapidly” Deteriorates

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August 12, 2024

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Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive currently detained in Nigeria, is reportedly unable to access his lawyers as his health deteriorates, his family told crypto media outlet CoinDesk in a statement Monday.

Fears Grow For Binance Executive Held In Nigeria

According to the latest statement from Gambaryan’s family, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance is being “denied adequate access to his legal team and his health is deteriorating rapidly.”

Gambaryan, who is being held at Kuje prison west of the country’s capital Abuja, most recently appeared in a wheelchair during a hearing for the crypto-related charges last month.

“The herniated disc in Tigran’s back requires highly specialized and risky surgery,” the family’s statement continues. “He had so many throat infections as well as pneumonia at Kuje, that he now also requires a further surgery to remove his tonsils. As he is mostly bedridden, he is now having to take blood thinners to avoid blood clots.”

The Gambaryan family’s statement paints a dire picture of the crypto compliance chief’s health, which has significantly diminished since he was first detained on money laundering charges stemming from his time at the crypto exchange – though questions remain over the legitimacy of his detainment.

U.S. Lawmakers Push For Tigran Gambaryan’s Release

In June, Representatives French Hill (R-ARK) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) visited Gambaryan in Kuje, where they discovered he was suffering from “malaria and double pneumonia.”

“He was also clearly under a lot of stress, and his health is not very good,” Houlahan said.

“Tigran must be immediately granted a humanitarian release, the remaining charges dropped, and he must return home to America where he belongs,” Hill concluded.

Meanwhile, the next hearing in Gambaryan’s case is not scheduled until October 11 due to a judicial holiday, prompting increased fears for his health.

“Tigran’s lawyers have filed a request for his case to be heard over the recess period,” a spokesperson told CoinDesk.

Although a recent court order mandated Gambaryan’s medical records be released, his family alleges that the prison “continues to hold them” without warrant.

Gambaryan was originally imprisoned alongside fellow Binance employee Nadeem Anjarwalla in February when meeting with Nigerian officials for a set of policy talks.

Both Binance employees were charged with tax evasion and money laundering, though the former has since been dropped.

Anjarwalla was able to flee custody the following month and remains at large.

It is unclear if U.S. President Joe Biden will step in to assist Gambryan’s release as his condition worsens.