In a troubling turn of events, Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking Binance executive, finds himself entangled in a legal and humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. Detained on charges of money laundering, his health has rapidly deteriorated during his months in custody, raising serious concerns about his treatment and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
On Monday, Tigran Gambaryan, visibly weakened and struggling to walk, appeared in an Abuja courtroom. The scene, captured on video and circulated widely on social media, shows him limping heavily and pleading with a prison guard for assistance. Despite his evident distress, the guard refused to help, forcing him to seek support from bystanders. In a moment of raw emotion, Tigran Gambaryan exclaimed, “This is a show. I’m a f#cking innocent person. Why are you doing this to me?”
“Nigerian Prison Official Abandons Binance Executive To Struggle In Pains In Court Premises As He Begs for Help ” pic.twitter.com/q8GhvIluNq
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) September 2, 2024
This outburst highlights the frustration and desperation of a man who, despite holding a prominent position as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance and being a former U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent, is caught in a situation that has left him nearly immobile and in excruciating pain.
His health has taken a severe hit since his detention in March. Held in Kuje prison, he suffers from a herniated disc—a condition that has worsened to the point where he is almost unable to walk. Despite his critical state, prison authorities have denied him the use of a wheelchair, exacerbating his pain and limiting his mobility.
To make matters worse, Tigran Gambaryan has contracted multiple illnesses while in prison, including malaria, pneumonia, and tonsillitis. His condition has prompted his legal team to file a new application for bail on medical grounds, arguing that he urgently needs specialized medical care, including surgery for his back.
However, the prosecutor from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is handling the case, opposed the bail application. The prosecutor claimed that Tigran Gambaryan was not seriously ill and accused him of refusing treatment—an assertion strongly denied by his legal team and family.
The dire situation has drawn the attention and concern of his wife, Yuki, who has been vocal about her husband’s treatment. In a heartfelt statement, she expressed deep frustration with the U.S. government’s lack of action, urging them to do more to secure his release. “The U.S. Government must do more to help Tigran. I urge them to use every available tool to free an innocent American who is at risk of permanent damage,” Yuki said.
Former US Federal Agent Tigran Gambaryan has been detained by the Nigerian Government since February 26th 2024. Today, August 26th, 2024 made it six months since he was detained in Nigeria.
His wife, Yuki, who has not seen her husband for half a year, recorded this video to help… pic.twitter.com/PvHOwJAsSk
— Pst Okezie (@Onsogbu) August 26, 2024
She further condemned the inhumane conditions her husband has endured, calling for accountability for what she described as a blatant disregard for human rights. The anguish and helplessness in her plea resonate with many who are following Gambaryan’s case, as his condition continues to deteriorate without adequate medical intervention.
Gambaryan’s ordeal began under seemingly cooperative circumstances. He voluntarily traveled to Abuja at the invitation of the Nigerian government, initially under the impression that his expertise would be beneficial. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse. After being placed under house arrest, Tigran Gambaryan was later transferred to Kuje prison following the escape of his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, under mysterious circumstances.
While the tax evasion charges initially brought against Tigran Gambaryan have since been dropped, the money laundering charges remain. He has consistently denied these accusations, maintaining his innocence and pointing to his longstanding reputation for upholding financial integrity and combating financial crimes.
The lack of concrete evidence, combined with the harsh conditions of his detention, has led many to question the legitimacy of the charges and the motivations behind them. Some speculate that Tigran Gambaryan is being used as a scapegoat or political pawn in a broader, more complex geopolitical struggle involving cryptocurrency regulations and enforcement.
As Gambaryan’s trial drags on, criticism of the U.S. government’s inaction has grown louder. Despite the serious health risks and the questionable circumstances surrounding his detention, there has been little visible effort from U.S. authorities to intervene or negotiate his release.
This perceived neglect has not only fueled frustration among Gambaryan’s family and supporters but also raised broader concerns about the U.S. government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. The case has become a rallying point for advocates of human rights and legal fairness, who are calling for immediate intervention to prevent irreversible harm to Gambaryan’s health.
Gambaryan’s case remains in a precarious position, with his health continuing to decline and the legal proceedings showing no signs of a swift resolution. His plea for medical assistance is not just a cry for help but a stark reminder of the human cost of prolonged detention under harsh conditions.
As the world watches, the responsibility now falls on the Nigerian judiciary, the EFCC, and the U.S. government to ensure that justice is served—not only in the legal sense but also in terms of humane treatment and the upholding of fundamental human rights.
For Tigran Gambaryan, the fight is not just about clearing his name; it’s about survival in the face of a system that seems indifferent to his plight. His words, “I’m a f#cking innocent person,” resonate as a powerful statement of his determination to see justice done, even as his physical condition continues to worsen. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether that justice will be served or if Gambaryan will continue to suffer in silence.
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