By Mark Hunter
1 month agoWed Jul 03 2024 07:02:24
Reading Time: 2 minutes
- The health records of Binance’s detained executive, Tigran Gambaryan, have still not been released
- Gambaryan’s family has warned he has malaria and double pneumonia, accusing Nigerian authorities of a cover-up
- Records have been withheld despite court orders, with the judge demanding their release by Friday
The health records of Binance’s detained executive, Tigran Gambaryan, have still not been released amid concerns that his condition is worsening. Gambaryan’s trial continued this week, with his family warning that Gambaryan has malaria and double pneumonia and accused Nigerian authorities of covering up the fact. The records continue to be withheld despite several court orders demanding that they be made public, with the judge ordering that they be made public on Friday.
Case Adjourned Until Friday
Nigeria’s high-profile money laundering trial against Binance and two of its executives, one of whom, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has escaped custody, resumed on Monday but was adjourned until July 5. This decision followed the cross-examination of the first witness from the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.
The case of the two executives is now different to the case being faced by Binance itself, which remains the sole defendant in a tax evasion lawsuit after these charges against Anjarwalla and Gambaryan were dropped. This case has been postponed until July 12.
Gambaryan, who serves as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, has been detained in Nigeria since February. He is being held in Kuje prison, notorious for housing members of the terrorist group Boko Haram, with his position made worse by Anjarwalla’s escape from custody in March.
The court learned that, despite multiple court orders, Kuje prison officials have not released Gambaryan’s medical records from a hospital visit that occurred a month ago. The judge in the case, Justice Emeka Nwite, reiterated the urgency of the matter, ordering that the medical reports be provided to Gambaryan’s lawyers by Friday.
Gambaryan’s Family Details Ill Health
Gambaryan’s family has reported a decline in his health, urging the authorities to act swiftly, saying in a statement, “Tigran’s health continues to deteriorate in detention, and he complained of numbness in his foot as well as back pain.” The statement also noted that Gambaryan has suffered from double pneumonia and malaria while in prison.
His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, emphasized his non-involvement in decision-making at Binance, arguing, “There is no justification for his continued detention. It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and release my innocent husband.”
The situation has drawn international attention, with US members of Congress recently visiting Gambaryan and calling for further action from the US government to secure his release.
