Tigran Gambaryan, the head of compliance at Binance, is suspected to be suffering from malaria while imprisoned in Nigeria.
Gambaryan collapsed during a court session on May 24. He is facing charges of tax evasion and money laundering alongside Binance.
This happened after Justice Emeka Nwite issued a court order on May 23 for Gambaryan to be transferred from Kuje prison to a hospital, which has been disregarded.
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The exact illness remains unclear due to inadequate medical facilities at Kuje prison, but it is believed that he may have a severe throat infection and malaria.
Yuki Gambaryan, Tigran's wife, has reportedly criticized the authorities for ignoring the court's directive, stating:
Tigran does not deserve such inhumane treatment. He has done nothing wrong and is suffering simply because he accepted an invitation to a meeting in Abuja. This has gone too far. I am begging everyone who can help, including our own American government, to recognize that an innocent man’s life is at risk.
Gambaryan, a US citizen, has been held in Nigeria since February. Initially, he was invited by Nigerian authorities to address a conflict involving Binance. However, following a meeting with government officials, Gambaryan and fellow Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla were detained by law enforcement. Anjarwalla managed to escape custody but still faces money laundering charges.
Gambaryan's hearings on tax evasion and money laundering charges have now been rescheduled for June 14 and 20. Nonetheless, his health and transfer to a hospital remain urgent concerns.
