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U.S. Congressman French Hill (R-AR) has publicly called for the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance, following the emergence of a concerning video during a court appearance in Abuja. Hill’s appeal on September 4 was sparked by footage that revealed Gambaryan visibly struggling with his health, raising alarms about his prolonged detention since February.
Concern Over Gambaryan’s Health
The troubling video depicted Gambaryan grappling with his physical condition as he made an appearance in court. He is facing serious money laundering charges, alleged to be linked to his role at the cryptocurrency exchange. However, many are questioning the validity of his arrest and detainment.
In a post on X, Congressman Hill expressed his outrage: “This is outrageous,” he stated. “It’s clear Tigran’s condition is rapidly deteriorating – the Nigerian government must release him immediately.” The video shows Gambaryan struggling with mobility, at one point crying out, “I’m not okay,” and questioning why he was not provided with a wheelchair during the court proceedings. “Why couldn’t I use a goddamn wheelchair? This is a show. I’m a f-cking innocent person. Why are you doing this to me?” he exclaimed.
Binance’s Reaction to the Situation
Following the release of the distressing video, Binance also expressed its concern for Gambaryan’s well-being. A spokesperson for the company stated, “We are extremely distressed by the video of Tigran in court yesterday. This is just a snapshot of Tigran’s current reality. His health is rapidly declining, and we are deeply concerned about the long-term consequences of this unjust detention.”
Detainment Timeline and Previous Visits
Tigran Gambaryan has been in custody since February, initially traveling to Nigeria for discussions related to digital asset policy. During this time, another Binance employee, Nadeem Anjarwalla, was also arrested but managed to evade further detainment. In June, Congressman Hill and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) visited Gambaryan at Kuje Prison, where they discovered he was suffering from double pneumonia and malaria.
Legal Appeals and Ongoing Health Concerns
During a recent court hearing, Gambaryan was observed using crutches due to a herniated disc, yet he was initially denied access to a wheelchair. Judge Emeka Nwite eventually permitted the use of a wheelchair after Gambaryan’s legal representatives raised concerns about his condition. Despite this ruling, there are ongoing worries regarding the prison officials’ tendency to ignore such court mandates, potentially jeopardizing his access to necessary medical care.
Yuki, Gambaryan’s wife, has been vocal about the desperate situation, reporting that prison officials have withheld her husband’s medical records for months. The partial records that have been disclosed indicate a severe need for surgery. “They cannot keep playing games with my husband’s life like this. This entire situation is inhumane and degrading, and I am fed up,” she stated. “There must be consequences for this disregard of law and human rights.”
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