- Nigerian prison officials have announced that Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking Binance executive, is reportedly in stable condition while held in detention.
- Gambaryan’s family had previously raised concerns about his deteriorating health amidst his legal proceedings with Nigerian authorities.
- Despite reports of his health issues, Nigerian authorities maintain that Gambaryan is receiving proper medical attention.
Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Detention: Health Concerns Amid Legal Battles
Concerns Over Gambaryan’s Health in Detention: Are They Justified?
Nigerian correctional officials assured on Thursday that Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance senior officer detained in Nigeria, is in good health despite his family’s grave concerns. The family had earlier indicated that Gambaryan’s health was severely affected by his ongoing legal battles with the Nigerian government.
Family’s Claims of Health Deterioration
Earlier this week, Gambaryan’s family released a statement claiming he was “suffering immensely” in detention. They reported that he had experienced symptoms such as numbness in his foot and severe back pain. Additionally, they mentioned that he had battled double pneumonia and malaria while being incarcerated. This has become a significant point of contention in the ongoing legal case between Binance and Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian Officials’ Response to Health Allegations
Umar Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), stated at a press conference that the prison authorities are attending to Gambaryan’s medical needs. “He is fine with us, and he will continue to be fine with us,” Abubakar assured. He elaborated that Gambaryan is receiving the necessary medical attention and would be referred to an external hospital if his condition required further treatment.
Legal Context and Initial Detention
Gambaryan, who is in charge of financial crime compliance at Binance, was detained on February 28 along with Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s head for Africa. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused the executives of conducting unauthorized financial operations and manipulating the foreign exchange market. While charges of tax evasion against Binance have been dropped, allegations of financial malpractices totaling $35.4 million remain.
Discrepancies in Health Reports
Despite Gambaryan’s family stressing that his health continues to decline, the NCoS insists that his medical condition is being properly managed. The family cites numerous unaddressed health issues and claimed in court that medical records from a June 3 hospital visit were not released to his legal team. However, prison authorities maintain their position that Gambaryan is receiving adequate care.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Tigran Gambaryan’s health and detention raises significant questions about the treatment and rights of detainees in Nigeria. While the officials affirm that he is receiving sufficient medical attention, his family maintains otherwise. As the legal proceedings continue, the focal point remains whether Gambaryan’s health is genuinely being looked after or if his condition is being compromised in the process.
