- The detention of Tigran Gambaryan, a top executive at Binance, has stirred significant controversy.
- His family states that Nigerian prison authorities have not complied with court orders regarding his health records.
- “He is suffering immensely,” said Yuki Gambaryan, highlighting serious health issues including double pneumonia and malaria.
Binance Executive’s Deteriorating Health Sparks International Outrage
Health Crisis Amidst Legal Battle
Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, is currently detained in Nigeria under increasingly concerning conditions. Despite court orders, prison authorities have not released his health records, exacerbating his family’s worry. Reports indicate that Gambaryan is experiencing numbness in his foot and back pain, along with having suffered from double pneumonia and malaria.
Nigerian Clampdown on Crypto Exchanges
Earlier this year, Nigerian authorities aggressively targeted cryptocurrency platforms, with the Central Bank particularly singling out Binance for alleged currency manipulation and illicit activities. Gambaryan was detained on February 28 along with Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional Africa head. While Anjarwalla has managed to escape custody, Gambaryan remains in detention facing severe allegations of financial misconduct.
Unyielding Legal and Regulatory Scrutiny
The legal proceedings against Gambaryan and Binance have brought to light the intense scrutiny that cryptocurrency exchanges face, especially in countries with strict financial regulations. Originally charged with tax evasion, Nigerian authorities have since dropped those charges to focus solely on other purported financial violations. Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, has publicly criticized Gambaryan’s continued detention, stating that it sets a troubling precedent for global businesses.
Calls for His Release Amplify
The tension around Gambaryan’s imprisonment has escalated, driven by not only his critical health issues but also the purported injustices in his treatment. His legal team presented evidence on July 1 that Kuje prison officials have disregarded multiple court orders to release his medical records from a hospital visit on June 3. Judge Emeka Nwite has now demanded the records be handed over by July 5.
Conclusion
The ongoing detention of Tigran Gambaryan has magnified global concerns about legal transparency and human rights within the context of cryptocurrency regulation. As legal battles continue to unfold, calls for Gambaryan’s release, driven by both humanitarian concerns and regulatory criticisms, are gaining international support. This case continues to underscore the complexities and challenges faced by crypto firms in navigating strict regulatory landscapes.
