Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan was again denied bail by a Nigerian court on Friday due to “clear evidence of medical requirements,” according to a family statement shared with The Block.
The family claims that an Abuja judge denied their request despite Gambaryan meeting all bail requirements on medical grounds. They argue that there is clear precedent for such cases in Nigeria and that the decision goes against common practice in the country.
Since Gambarian was transferred to Guje Prison last March, his physical and mental health has rapidly deteriorated, suffering from herniated discs, pneumonia, malaria, and tonsillitis.
He can no longer walk without assistance and was denied use of a wheelchair when entering the Abuja court. He was on crutches in pain when the trial resumed on September 2, when the bail decision was postponed.
“Several doctors, including the prison doctor, clearly reported that Tigran needed medical help that the prison could not provide,” the family said.
The Binance executive was denied bail in May, and last month his lawyers argued that the conditions of his detention prevented them from meeting him to prepare for trial.
“We all know that Tigran was not a decision maker at Binance and he is completely innocent, but we are not surprised by this decision,” Yuki Gambaryan said. “It is completely unfair to deny someone in Tigran’s condition the opportunity to receive appropriate medical help, and we can only pray that the damage he is suffering will not be permanent when he is finally released. “I am exhausted and disappointed, but I will continue to fight for my husband’s rightful freedom.”
“He has been illegally detained for over 220 days,” a Binance spokesperson told The Block, expressing disappointment with the court’s decision taking into account his deteriorating health. “Tigran has not been to Nigeria as a decision-maker and there is no reason to keep him there. “We are committed to working with the Nigerian government to resolve the issue, but Tigran must be allowed to return home,” the spokesperson added.
According to the family’s statement, cross-examination of central bank witnesses has resumed in the trial following the court’s decision to apply for bail.
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the agency prosecuting the case, did not respond to The Block’s request for comment.
Detained since February
Gambaryan, a former special agent for the US Internal Revenue Service (US IRS) and head of financial compliance at Binance, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, met in the Nigerian capital on February 26. After arriving at Rich, he was detained on suspicion of Binance profiteering. Local illegal trade.
On February 28, criminal charges were filed against Binance and its two executives, accusing them of $35 million in money laundering and tax violations. Tax charges against the executives were later dismissed in June, leaving Binance as the only defendant, but money laundering charges against all defendants remain. Anjarwalla escaped custody on March 22, but Gambaryan remains in custody.
The Nigerian government has previously called Gambarian’s claims of poor health care ‘false’, while Binance executives claimed that with consular services in the US, they ‘can access quality medical care whenever they need it’.
Yuki Gambarian has repeatedly called on the United States to intervene in the case and bring her husband home. The U.S. Committee on Foreign Relations last month passed a resolution calling for Gambarian’s release, which will be tabled before the full U.S. House of Representatives when Congress returns to session after the election.
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