Binance blues 🇳🇬

How a Binance exec continues to suffer in Nigerian prison

Ben Weiss here.

The story of Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive imprisoned in Nigeria, took a turn for the worse this week.

Prison conditions have exacerbated a herniated disc, he now has tonsillitis, and he’s almost bedridden, his family told DL News.

“The herniated disc in his back has worsened to the point where it might leave permanent damage and affect his ability to walk,” Gambaryan’s wife Yuki said.

Gambaryan, Binance’s financial crimes compliance chief, has also battled malaria and pneumonia. 

In one of his recent court appearances, he collapsed, DL News reported.

Nigerian officials maintained in June that the Binance executive had access to quality medical care.

Months in prison

In February, the Nigerian government arrested Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, another Binance executive, after the two travelled to the country to resolve a regulatory dispute.

Anjarwalla was able to escape, but Gambaryan was not, and he’s fast approaching 150 days in prison.

Both he and Binance face money-laundering charges — accusations they both strenuously deny.

As his trial began, Gambaryan’s health progressively worsened.

“My once fit and healthy husband who loves working out, is now wheelchair-bound due to a treatable condition that has not been properly addressed,” said Yuki Gambaryan.

Gambaryan’s trial was postponed in July because the judge is on holiday through late September.

The next court date is scheduled for October 11.

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Post of the week

Maybe, um, don’t allegedly violate US and UN sanctions and then proudly post about it?

DL News is an independent news organisation that provides original, in-depth reporting on the largely misunderstood world of cryptocurrency and decentralised finance. From original stories to investigations, our journalism is accurate, honest and responsible.

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