Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, is also said to have been denied access to a lawyer and health care while in Nigerian custody. Gambaryan, an American citizen, has been detained for more than six months and is still the subject of legal proceedings. He has been in poor health lately, which is a cause for concern.
Tigran Gambaryan’s Condition Worsens in Jail
Gambaryan’s health deteriorated while in Kuje prison, and he was brought to court in a wheelchair on July 16. Although a Federal High Court judge has ordered the arrest of the medical doctor of the prison, the family of the inmate has not noticed any change in his condition. According to the statement released by Gambaryan’s family on August 12, he is unable to walk due to severe back pain and other illnesses.
Gambaryan has been held in pre-trial detention for an extended period, which has complicated his health status while he remains in denial of the allegations made against him. Binance CEO Richard Teng has urged for his release, stating that Gambaryan did not have the authority to make decisions for the company. US politicians have also called on President Joe Biden to act, raising concerns for Gambaryan’s safety.
Nigerian Crypto Regulations Trigger Market Exodus
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Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, another Binance employee, were arrested in Nigeria in February after being invited to dialogue with the authorities. Anjarwalla, on the other hand, was able to escape detention and leave the country, while Gambaryan was charged with tax evasion and money laundering. He has responded to these allegations by filing a human rights violation suit.
The case has attracted considerable attention from the international community, with issues of bribery and corruption adding to the mix. Teng also alleged that some unidentified officials demanded a settlement, which the Nigerian government dismissed. However, the legal fight continues, and the next hearing of Gambaryan’s case is set for October 11, meaning that he has been behind bars for over six months.
The Gambaryan case is just one example of the ongoing crackdown on crypto exchanges in Nigeria, which has forced many platforms to leave the country. Some of the most prominent digital asset service providers, including Binance, KuCoin, and OKX, have suspended P2P trading or restricted their offerings. The actions of the Nigerian government have led to a lot of disturbance in the crypto space, with many platforms having to reassess their strategies in the region.
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Also Read: Nigeria wants Binance to disclose the top 100 users
