365Crypto
Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance and a former IRS agent, was detained in Nigeria seven months ago after voluntarily visiting Abuja at the government’s invitation. Initially under house arrest, he was later moved to Kuje prison after his colleague mysteriously escaped. Gambaryan faces ongoing money laundering charges, despite pleading not guilty, while tax evasion charges were dropped. Nigerian officials have accused Binance (crypto), without evidence, of tanking the value of the national currency, the naira.
On Monday, a video showed Gambaryan struggling to walk into an Abuja courtroom, denied a wheelchair and visibly distressed. His lawyers requested bail for medical reasons, citing severe health issues developed in prison, including malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc. Prison authorities have previously refused to release his health records, and the prosecutor opposed the bail request, claiming Gambaryan was refusing treatment. His previous bail application was denied in May.
Gambaryan’s wife has called the situation inhumane, urging the U.S. government to take stronger action to secure his release, citing his deteriorating condition and lack of access to proper care and legal representation.
