Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has been detained in Nigeria for alleged financial crimes summing up to $34 million. He faces charges revolving around money laundering, currency speculation, and tax evasion.
The case has been fast-tracked at the request of the defense lawyers. The hearing has now been pushed to Sept. 2, a month earlier than the planned date. The original hearing was scheduled for Oct. 11.
His family has time and again highlighted that sustained medical negligence has deteriorated his health.
The executive’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, recently released a video pleading for his immediate release from prison. She emphasized that it has been six months since she last saw her husband and said,
"His health is deteriorating to the point where he can no longer walk. Between bouts of malaria pneumonia and the unimaginable mental toll of his detention, he is now reaching the point of no return."
The prison conditions have been harsh. In May, when he was diagnosed with Malaria, he collapsed in court. Meanwhile, in June, he was brought to court in a wheelchair.
His family revealed that complications from a herniated disc in his back is one of the root causes of his suffering, making him unfit to walk.
Earlier this month, the family also pointed out that he is being "denied adequate access to his legal team.” The wife has asserted that Gambaryan needs immediate medical treatment, or else it "risks permanent damage."
She added,
"For six months, my life — my living nightmare — has been filled with pleas. Pleas to the Nigerian government. Pleas to the U.S. government. Pleas to the media. Pleas to anyone who will listen. I have been pleading for their mercy, for their understanding, for their humanity... Please help me bring my husband home."
Gambaryan, Binance’s current head of financial crime compliance, was detained in Abuja earlier this year. He headed to the city voluntarily after receiving an invitation from the government.
After being house arrested at first, the executive was sent to the Kuje prison. He has been detained there for around six months now.
In other parallel news, Binance is currently under compliance monitoring by the DOJ and the US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for allegedly mishandling customer funds, manipulating investors and regulators, and failing to adhere to securities rules.
Forensic Risk Alliance and Sullivan & Cromwell — the monitors appointed by the US agencies — have already kickstarted their work which includes keeping tabs on the company’s financial statements and tracking transactions.
