Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, was denied bail by a Nigerian judge, according to a statement from his family on Friday. Gambaryan has been held in Nigeria since February and is currently imprisoned in Kuje, a notorious facility known for housing Boko Haram militants. His detention followed the escape of fellow Binance employee Nadeem Anjarwalla from custody in March.
Gambaryan and Binance faced charges of tax evasion and money laundering, though the tax-related accusations were later dismissed. In September, the court postponed its decision on bail. His legal team has since filed a new bail application, citing his deteriorating health.
Mark Mordi, one of Gambaryan’s lawyers, informed the court last month that the executive has required surgery since mid-July. He also stated that Gambaryan’s urgent medical needs are not being met in prison, as reported by Bloomberg. The executive has contracted malaria, pneumonia, and tonsillitis while in detention and suffers from a herniated disc that leaves him reliant on a wheelchair. During his most recent court appearance, Gambaryan was seen struggling on a single crutch, without his wheelchair.
“It’s deeply unjust to deny Tigran access to proper medical care, given his severe health issues. I hope the damage to his health is not irreversible by the time he’s released,” said Yuki Gambaryan, Tigran’s wife. “I am both exhausted and heartbroken, but I will continue to fight for his freedom.”