Abuja, Tuesday, October 15, 2024-A Nigerian court has again denied bail to Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, despite claims from his family regarding his deteriorating health.
Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February on money laundering charges, suffers from multiple medical conditions including a herniated disc, pneumonia, and malaria, his family said.
The court’s decision, delivered on Friday, comes after Gambaryan’s bail was first deferred in September.
According to a family statement, prison doctors have confirmed that the medical facilities are inadequate to treat Gambaryan’s condition. His health issues have worsened since being transferred to Kuje prison in March.
Despite his inability to walk without assistance, Gambaryan has been denied access to a wheelchair in court, resorting to crutches during the trial proceedings.
Gambaryan’s lawyers claim that his detention has impaired their ability to prepare for trial, arguing that he was not a decision-maker at Binance and is innocent of the charges. A Binance spokesperson also expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, emphasizing the urgent need for medical intervention.
Gambaryan has been held for over 220 days. The U.S. government has been urged to intervene, and a resolution calling for his release is expected to be brought before Congress. Nigerian authorities have yet to comment on the recent bail denial.
