The health of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive and U.S. citizen currently detained in a Nigerian prison, is rapidly deteriorating, prompting his family to call for his immediate release.
According to a report by The Block, Gambaryan has been suffering from a herniated disc, throat infections, and pneumonia. His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed deep concern about his deteriorating health, fearing permanent damage and loss of mobility. She stated in a statement that her once healthy husband, who enjoyed working out, is now confined to a wheelchair due to a treatable condition that has been neglected.
This plea for Gambaryan’s release comes amid growing tensions between Binance and Nigerian authorities. Gambaryan, who previously headed Binance’s financial crime compliance unit, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Regional Manager for Africa, were detained by Nigerian authorities in February. Their arrest stemmed from investigations into Binance’s alleged involvement in destabilizing the Nigerian currency, the Naira. While Anjarwalla managed to escape from the Nigerian prison but was apprehended in Kenya and faces extradition, Gambaryan’s situation remains dire.
Despite repeated attempts, Gambaryan’s bail hearings and other court proceedings have been repeatedly postponed due to administrative errors. Binance CEO Richard Teng has publicly demanded Gambaryan’s release, condemning the Nigerian government’s actions as setting a dangerous precedent. In June, over 108 former federal prosecutors and agents urged U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to prioritize efforts to secure Gambaryan’s release.
The ongoing situation highlights the complex and evolving relationship between cryptocurrency exchanges and governments worldwide. It also underscores the importance of fair and transparent legal processes, particularly when individuals’ health and well-being are at stake.
