Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. federal agent and key compliance personnel at Binance, has been detained in Nigeria for six months under increasingly dire conditions.
According to Richard Teng, the CEO of Binance, Gambaryan's physical and mental health have rapidly deteriorated during his detention. He is suffering from severe pain due to a herniated disc, which has left him unable to walk.
Despite his condition, the Nigerian government has denied him adequate medical care, including basic necessities such as access to a wheelchair.
Gambaryan's situation is exacerbated by the harsh conditions of Kuje Prison, where he has been held since April 5, 2024. This prison is notorious for its inhumane treatment and also houses members of the terrorist group Boko Haram.
Reports from the U.S. Department of State have highlighted massive human rights abuses in Nigerian prisons, including degrading conditions and lack of proper medical care.
Despite a court order expiring on March 12, 2024, which should have mandated his release, Gambaryan was charged with various crimes and transferred to Kuje Prison. His legal case has been fraught with irregularities, including lengthy delays and violations of due process.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission continues to pursue charges against him, even though the Federal Inland Revenue Service has dropped its charges.
In a heartfelt statement, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed her deep concern for her husband’s health and her appreciation for the efforts being made to secure his release.
"I am deeply concerned about my husband’s declining health. I just want him home so he can get the proper medical care he desperately needs and so that he can heal," she said.
U.S. Representatives Rich McCormick and French Hill have submitted a resolution to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, pressing for Gambaryan's immediate release.
Despite these efforts, the Nigerian authorities have not complied with directives from judges for the release of medical records and proper medical treatment.
The Nigerian government justifies Gambaryan’s detention with baseless allegations linking Binance to the country's economic issues, including the Naira’s decline.
However, these claims are not backed by facts. Binance is calling for U.S. intervention and global advocacy to secure Gambaryan’s release on humanitarian grounds.
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