Yuki Gambaryan, the spouse of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance official who is currently detained, has raised concerns about her husband’s well-being. Despite a court order mandating his transfer to a hospital for medical treatment, Tigran Gambaryan continues to be held in Kuje prison. Yuki Gambaryan is urging the Nigerian authorities to comply with the court’s ruling and allow her husband to receive the necessary medical care. She is also appealing to the American government for assistance in securing her husband’s release.
Last week, Tigran Gambaryan collapsed during his appearance at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where he faced charges of money laundering. He had previously failed to appear in court on the same day for separate tax evasion charges. Mark Mordi, his legal representative, informed the court that Gambaryan had been unwell since the previous trial date and was still suffering from health issues.
Concerns about Gambaryan’s health have also been expressed by his legal representatives, Aluko and Oyebode. In a letter to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Partner C.J. Caleb highlighted the defendant’s health conditions, including intravenous treatment for malaria and a throat infection. Caleb also mentioned that the Kuje Medium Correctional Facility is currently undergoing renovations, making it unsuitable for providing the necessary medical care.
Gambaryan fell ill three months after he was arrested, along with colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, during an official visit to Nigeria in February. Binance, the cryptocurrency trading platform, is facing multiple charges in Nigeria, including allegations of money laundering and tax evasion amounting to $35 million. The Nigerian authorities have been cracking down on cryptocurrencies, believing that they contribute to speculation and manipulation of the naira.
As a result of the Nigerian government blocking Binance’s website for Nigerian users, the crypto trading giant has disabled its P2P function and exited the Nigerian market. This move reflects the ongoing debate on the appropriate level of enforcement in the crypto industry.