In recent weeks, U.S. lawmakers have called attention to the Nigerian government’s treatment. Detained Binance Executive Tigran Gambarian has been detained by the African country since February on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
Although tax evasion charges were dismissed earlier this month in a bid to “bail out” Binance, Gambarian remains in custody awaiting trial on separate money laundering charges. Two members of the U.S. Congress recently visited the detained Gambarian, claiming the executive, Binance’s head of financial crimes compliance, was suffering from malaria and pneumonia due to poor health and lack of proper medical care.
The Nigerian government called claims of poor medical care “false” in a statement posted on the “He claimed. “Along with this, consular services from the U.S. government in his home country are also provided.
“The federal government will not take any action that would jeopardize his fundamental rights to a lawful trial and quality care, including medical care, even while he is being tried under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.
Several U.S. officials, including members of Congress, former federal prosecutors and former federal agents (including Gambarian himself), have called on members of the Biden administration, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Biden himself, to intervene in the case. The letter from federal agents claimed Gambarian had been held in “miserable conditions” since his detention in February.
But the Nigerian government has given no indication that political pressure will affect the process in any way. “It is worth reiterating that his detention is pursuant to a court order and only the court can change the conditions or direct his release,” Idris said in his statement.
According to Reuters, Gambarian’s money laundering trial has been postponed to July 1.
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