Nigerian Government Denies Mistreatment Of Detained Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan
Responding to concerns over the health of detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, the Nigerian government, via a June 21st X post by Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, denied claims of inadequate detention conditions.
Nigeria Denies “Baseless” Claims Of Binance Executive’s Mistreatment
Idris refuted allegations of Gambaryan’s mistreatment as “false,” asserting that the Binance executive was being treated with “utmost fairness” at Kuje Correctional Center near Abuja.
“Gambaryan is being held in lawful detention and has access to quality medical care whenever required,” Idris stated. “He also has full access to consular services from his home government. “
Binance Executive on Lawful Trial Has Access to Quality Medical Care — FG
It has become necessary for the Federal Government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan is being held in unsavory prison conditions in Nigeria, or that his health is… pic.twitter.com/bwZf5IHFi0
— Mohammed Idris, FNIPR (@HMMohammedIdris) June 21, 2024
In a June 5 letter to U.S. President Joe Biden, House Republicans alleged that the Binance employee was “not permitted to meet with his legal team without the presence of government officials and armed guards” and urged action to ensure his immediate release.
The letter strongly contended that the charges against Gambaryan were unfounded, representing a coercive tactic by the Nigerian government to pressure Binance.
However, Idris has since denied these claims, calling the goal of bringing Binance to justice a “legitimate quest.”
“The Federal Government will not do anything to jeopardize his fundamental rights to a lawful trial and to quality care, including healthcare, even as he undergoes trial by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Idris claimed.
U.S. Lawmakers Urge For Tigran Gambaryan’s Release Amid Dire Conditions
Detained in Nigeria since late February on money laundering charges, Gambaryan collapsed in an Abuja courtroom in May due to malaria.
While a judge ordered him to be admitted to a hospital for evaluation, his family claimed in a June 14 statement that it “took prison authorities 11 days to take him for a brief check-up.”
Yesterday, @RepHoulahan and I visited with US citizen Tigran Gambaryan in Kuje Prison in Nigeria. We found him suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight. Even worse, he's being denied access to… pic.twitter.com/OKEHMXxuF4
— French Hill (@RepFrenchHill) June 20, 2024
On Thursday, Congressman French Hill (R-LA) and Cynthia Houlahan (D-PA) visited the prison, where they now allege his condition has dramatically worsened.
“We found him suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight,” the U.S. lawmakers said. “Even worse, he’s being denied access to adequate medical attention.”
Nadeem Anjarwalla, a second Binance employee who was originally arrested alongside Gambaryan, was able to evade Nigerian authorities in late March and has reportedly fled to Kenya.
As of this report, Anjarwalla remains at large.
