Concerns are growing over the deteriorating health of Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking Binance executive who is currently detained in a Nigerian prison on money-laundering charges. Gambaryan, who serves as Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, has reportedly suffered a significant decline in his health since his imprisonment, raising alarm among his family and supporters.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, was arrested alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa at Binance, in connection with allegations of laundering over $35 million (€32 million). The charges against them have been strongly denied by both Binance and Gambaryan. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Anjarwalla managed to evade custody and fled Nigeria before the trial commenced.
In a statement released yesterday, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed grave concern over her husband’s worsening condition. “His health is in a shockingly bad condition and getting worse by the day,” she stated. She revealed that Gambaryan is suffering from a herniated disc in his back, which has deteriorated to the point where it could potentially cause permanent damage and impair his ability to walk.
Adding to her distress, Yuki Gambaryan disclosed that her husband has been denied access to legal representation since July 26, further complicating his situation. Despite repeated attempts, the Nigerian Correctional Service, responsible for managing the prison where Gambaryan is held, has not responded to inquiries or provided any updates on his condition.
The case has attracted widespread attention, not only because of Gambaryan’s prominent role at Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, but also due to the broader implications for the global crypto industry. In March, Binance announced it would cease all transactions and trading in Nigeria’s local currency, following a nationwide crackdown on crypto exchanges by Nigerian authorities, who have accused such platforms of fueling demand for U.S. dollars on the black market.
During a recent court appearance in Abuja, Gambaryan, who was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair from Kuje maximum security prison, visibly struggled with his health. The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, ordered a medical report to assess Gambaryan’s condition, but the report has yet to be submitted, according to court proceedings.
In light of the situation, Judge Nwite directed that Gambaryan be admitted to a hospital for 24 hours to receive medical diagnosis and treatment. However, concerns remain over the adequacy of the care he will receive and whether his health will continue to decline during the ongoing legal process.
The trial has been adjourned until October 11, leaving Gambaryan’s fate uncertain as he continues to grapple with serious health challenges in detention. As the case progresses, it is likely to draw further scrutiny from both international human rights organizations and the global cryptocurrency community, who are closely monitoring the treatment of the Binance executive.
