Nigerian Government Refutes Claims of Ill-Treatment of Detained Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan
The Nigerian government is facing allegations regarding the conditions of detention for Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan. In response to concerns about Gambaryan’s health, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris issued a statement on June 21st denying any mistreatment and asserting that Gambaryan was being treated fairly at the Kuje Correctional Center near Abuja.
Idris dismissed the allegations of mistreatment as false and assured that Gambaryan has access to quality medical care whenever necessary. He also emphasized that Gambaryan has full access to consular services from his home government.
These statements come after House Republicans sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden on June 5th, claiming that Gambaryan was not allowed to meet with his legal team without the presence of government officials and armed guards. They called for immediate action to secure his release and argued that the charges against him were unfounded and part of a coercive strategy by the Nigerian government against Binance.
Idris, however, refuted these claims and stated that the Nigerian government’s objective is to bring Binance to justice, which he considers a legitimate pursuit. He assured that the government will not jeopardize Gambaryan’s rights to a fair trial and quality care, including healthcare, during his trial in accordance with Nigerian laws.
Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers Congressman French Hill (R-LA) and Cynthia Houlahan (D-PA) visited the prison where Gambaryan is held and alleged that his condition has significantly deteriorated. Gambaryan, who has been detained since late February on money laundering charges, collapsed in an Abuja courtroom in May due to malaria. Although a judge ordered his admission to a hospital for evaluation, his family claimed that it took the prison authorities 11 days to comply with this request.
Congressman Hill and Houlahan stated that Gambaryan is suffering from malaria and double pneumonia and has lost a considerable amount of weight. They also claimed that he is being denied adequate medical attention.
Another Binance employee, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who was initially arrested with Gambaryan, managed to evade Nigerian authorities in late March and reportedly fled to Kenya. Anjarwalla remains at large.
The situation continues to unfold, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
