Key Takeaways
- Health Concerns: Tigran Gambaryan’s health has worsened during his 128-day detention. He is suffering from double pneumonia, malaria, and aches.
- Family and U.S. Advocacy: Gambaryan’s family is concerned about his health. U.S. officials are increasingly involved and they are urging for his release on humanitarian grounds.
- Legal and Public Response: The legal team completed a key cross-examination. A petition for Gambaryan’s release has gained 4,881 signatures.
YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — The trial against Binance executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla is set to resume on July 5. Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is pressing money laundering charges. Notably, Gambaryan has been detained since February, while Anjarwalla reportedly fled to Kenya in March.
During his 128-day detention, Gambaryan’s health has worsened. Primarily, he has suffered from double pneumonia, malaria, and ongoing aches and pains. This has raised concerns about his ability to endure the trial.
Family and U.S. Officials Advocate for Binance Executive Facing Health Issues and Legal Battle
Moreover, Gambaryan’s family is worried about his health and the slow response from authorities. A family spokesperson mentioned that Gambaryan’s legal team completed their cross-examination of an EFCC witness on July 2. His wife, Yuki, shared her frustrations, noting increased engagement from the U.S. government recently.
Yuki has been in regular contact with U.S. State Department officials and the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. As well, she believes any disputes between Binance and Nigerian authorities should not involve her husband.
“I thought the U.S. Government response was quite slow at first, especially considering that Tigran used to work for the U.S. Government,”
said Yuki
“However, I believe they have noticeably increased their efforts and engagement recently […] In my eyes, it is evident any issues between Binance and the Nigerian authorities can and should be resolved without Tigran being caught in the middle.”
Notably, U.S. officials have been involved in the case. Representatives French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan visited Gambaryan in Kuje Prison on June 20. They are urging Nigerian authorities to drop the charges on humanitarian grounds.
Petition to Free Binance Exec Gains Support as Criticism Grows
Yuki Gambaryan launched a petition to bring her husband back to the U.S., which has received 4,881 signatures so far. The petition aims to reach 5,000 signatures and will be presented to the U.S. State Department, President Joe Biden, the EFCC, and the Nigerian government.
Globally, the case has attracted widespread attention. Above all, many argue that it is unfair to hold two executives accountable for company actions during a voluntary visit to Nigeria.
