Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crimes compliance, has now spent 200 days in detention under Nigerian authorities. His family, particularly his wife, Yuki, has raised serious concerns about his deteriorating health and the inhumane conditions he has endured. This case, which stems from charges related to cryptocurrency activity, has drawn international attention, with appeals for his release growing louder as time passes.
In February 2024, Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and a key executive at Binance, travelled to Nigeria for an official meeting upon the invitation of the Nigerian government. During his visit, Nigerian authorities confiscated his passport and arrested him, accusing him and British-Kenyan national Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, of laundering over $35 million and conducting unlicensed financial activities. This marked the beginning of his prolonged detention.
The charges were part of Nigeria’s broader crackdown on cryptocurrency platforms, which they partly blamed for worsening their currency issues. As the naira continued to devalue, authorities viewed cryptocurrency exchanges as platforms allowing illegal financial outflows, further exacerbating Nigeria’s dollar shortages.
Since his arrest, Gambaryan has been held in Kuje Prison, where his health has rapidly deteriorated. His family claims he is suffering from an untreated spinal injury (a herniated disc), which has left him bedridden and unable to walk. He requires immediate medical intervention, but the Nigerian prison system has reportedly failed to provide adequate care. Despite being advised to undergo surgery by medical professionals, Gambaryan remains in detention without access to necessary treatment.
In a statement released on the 200th day of his detention, Yuki Gambaryan, his wife, described her husband’s detention as both “disgraceful and urgent,” calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order his immediate release. She highlighted that her husband’s condition has worsened to the point that his muscles have atrophied, and he now requires blood thinners to prevent clotting from being bedridden.
A recent video showing Gambaryan struggling to walk with crutches while crying out in pain has ignited public outcry. In response, Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, publicly condemned the treatment, calling it “inhumane.” He urged for Gambaryan’s release to allow him to return home for medical treatment and be reunited with his family.
Meanwhile, Gambaryan’s legal team continues to fight for his bail on medical grounds. His lawyer, Mark Mordi, presented a medical report in court from July 18, stating that Gambaryan requires urgent lumbar surgery and psychiatric intervention. However, Nigerian authorities, represented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), maintain that his condition is manageable within the country’s correctional facilities.
The case was adjourned until October 9, when the court will rule on his bail application. Until then, Gambaryan remains in Kuje Prison, separated from his family and missing significant events such as his son’s birthday and his own 40th birthday.
This case has also drawn attention to the growing global scrutiny of cryptocurrency platforms like Binance. Nigerian authorities, struggling to stabilise the naira, have sought to curtail the use of cryptocurrencies, which have become popular as alternatives to the country’s weakening currency. Binance’s role in facilitating cryptocurrency transactions has made it a focal point in Nigeria’s crackdown on foreign financial activities.
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