Tigran Gambarian was bedridden and suffering from tonsillitis. His family has accused prison officials of mismanaging the Binance executive's health. Gambarian's next court date is Oct. 11.
Binance executive Tigran Gambarian's health continues to deteriorate amid lengthy prison sentence in Nigeria
According to Nigerian sources who spoke to The Nigerian, Gambarian's prison conditions aggravated a pre-existing back problem, a herniated disc, which required highly specialized surgery. News Under conditions of anonymity.
Gambarian's family confirmed his current health condition.
Neither the Nigerian Correctional Service nor the country's information ministry immediately responded to requests for comment.
“The herniated disc in his back has deteriorated to the point where it is permanently damaged and affects his ability to walk,” Gambarian's wife, Yuki, said in a statement shared by family representatives. News.
Gambarian, Binance's financial crime compliance chief, has been incarcerated in Kuje prison near Nigeria's capital, Abuja, since April 8.
He is under investigation for money laundering with his employer, Binance.
The two are accused of facilitating the flow of around $35 million in illegal crypto funds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – Nigeria's anti-corruption police.
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Gambarian and Binance have denied the allegations.
The state of Gambarian's health was a major concern during the trial after the Binance executive collapsed during the trial on the first day of May.
The former US federal agent's appearance gradually grew weaker and weaker as he appeared in court, and he was wheelchair-bound in the final stages of the case before an adjournment.
Malaria and pneumonia
Gambarian suffered from malaria and pneumonia.
His family members said he is now also battling tonsillitis and is almost bedridden.
“My husband, who once loved to work fit and healthy, is now confined to a wheelchair due to a treatable condition that has not been properly addressed,” says Yuki Gambarian. She said her husband took blood thinners to prevent a fatal blood clot.
Slow to act
Despite receiving so many complaints, the jail authorities are delaying in taking action.
They refused to comply with several court orders to take Gambarian to a guarded private hospital for treatment, according to court hearings they oversaw. News.
A visibly frustrated Justice Nwhite bench issued an arrest warrant to the Kuje prison director for failing to provide Gambarian's medical test reports at the last trial session on July 16.
Meanwhile, Nigerian prison officials and the country's Ministry of Information have maintained Gambarian is being treated well by authorities.
However, previous visits by US lawmakers to assess Gambarian's health status have left the Binance executive in “horrendous prison conditions,” he said.
Biden administration
Since Gambarian's arrest in February, so has Binance, his family and the wider crypto community Many politicians He was asked to be released.
Although the Biden administration has been slow to act, advocacy for his release has begun to gather steam in the US.
In July, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, chairman of the National Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, visited Gambarian as part of a fact-finding mission.
While we celebrate this victory that brought home an American, our work is far from over. Many US citizens, like Tigran Gambarian, continue to endure unimaginable trauma in detention around the world, and I am determined to continue my efforts to bring all of our wrong…
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) August 10, 2024
While we celebrate this victory that brought home an American, our work is far from over. Many US citizens, like Tigran Gambarian, continue to endure unimaginable trauma in detention around the world, and I am determined to continue my efforts to bring all of our wrong…
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) August 10, 2024
Fitzpatrick has met with US citizens detained in several African countries, including Nigeria, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A US congressman managed to secure the release of an American detained in the DRC, acting as a surrogate in negotiations.
“Americans like Tigran are still out there, enduring unimaginable trauma in detention around the world, and we won't rest until they come home,” Fitzpatrick said. Said In a statement.
Update, August 12: Added a line to clarify that Gambarian and Binance deny the allegations.
Osato Awan-Nomayo Our Nigeria based DeFi representative. He covers DeFi and technology. To share tips or information about articles, please contact him here [email protected].
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