Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, is reportedly being denied adequate access to his legal team at Kuje Prison since July 26, 2024. His lawyers have not been allowed to meet with him.
Mondo-Advisory, which represents Gambaryan’s family, reports that his health is rapidly declining. He is suffering from a herniated disc requiring risky surgery, throat infections, pneumonia, and a previous malaria case. The prison is reportedly holding his medical records, complicating his access to necessary care.
Gambaryan was sent to Kuje Correctional Centre in April 2024 after pleading not guilty to money laundering charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and four counts of tax evasion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Although Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were originally named in the FIRS suit, Anjarwalla has fled custody and Gambaryan is no longer listed in the case, with Binance providing a representative instead.
The court in Abuja went on holiday in July, and Gambaryan’s tax evasion trial is now postponed until October.
In response to Gambaryan’s detention, members of the U.S. Congress submitted a resolution in July urging the Nigerian government to release him immediately. They expressed concern that the court’s recess could extend his detention unfairly. The resolution also called for unrestricted medical access and consular visits in accordance with international obligations.
Yuki Gambaryan, Tigran’s wife, has urgently appealed for her husband’s release to receive the necessary medical care. Binance and its CEO, Richard Teng, have also called for Gambaryan’s release and stated that he should not be held responsible while the case is ongoing.
Additionally, when Gambaryan applied for bail, the EFCC opposed it, claiming he is a flight risk.
