Detained Binance Executive - "I'm a F#cking Innocent Person"

Tigran Gambaryan, held in Nigeria on money laundering charges, begs for medical assistance as his health deteriorates.

In a distressing scene captured on video and shared widely on social media, Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria, was seen struggling to walk into an Abuja courtroom on Monday. Limping heavily, Gambaryan pleaded with a prison guard for assistance, highlighting the severe decline in his health during his time in custody.

Gambaryan, who has been held in Kuje prison since March, was denied the use of a wheelchair despite suffering from a herniated disc, which has left him in excruciating pain and nearly immobile. In the video, Gambaryan, visibly distressed, can be heard saying, “I’m not okay, this is f*cked up,” as he clutched the guard’s wrist for support. When the guard refused to help, Gambaryan turned to onlookers, exclaiming, “This is a show. I’m a f*cking innocent person. Why are you doing this to me?”

The former U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent and Binance’s head of financial crime compliance has been in Nigerian custody for over seven months, facing charges of money laundering. His legal team filed a new application for bail on medical grounds on Monday, urging the judge to release him so he can receive the urgent medical care he needs, including surgery for his back condition. Gambaryan has also contracted malaria, pneumonia, and tonsillitis while in prison, further complicating his health.

Despite these serious health concerns, a prosecutor from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the body prosecuting Gambaryan, opposed the bail application. The prosecutor argued that Gambaryan was not in ill health and claimed that he was refusing treatment, an assertion strongly contested by Gambaryan’s legal team and family.

Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, issued a heartfelt statement, expressing her frustration and concern over her husband’s deteriorating condition. “The U.S. Government must do more to help Tigran. I urge them to use every available tool to free an innocent American who is at risk of permanent damage,” she said. Yuki also emphasized the inhumane treatment her husband has received, calling for accountability for the blatant disregard of human rights.

Gambaryan’s ordeal began when he voluntarily traveled to Abuja at the invitation of the Nigerian government. Initially placed under house arrest, he was later transferred to Kuje prison after his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, escaped under mysterious circumstances. Although the tax evasion charges against Gambaryan have since been dropped, he continues to face trial for money laundering—a charge he vehemently denies.

As his trial progresses, the lack of intervention from the U.S. government has drawn criticism, with many calling for greater efforts to secure Gambaryan’s release. Meanwhile, his health continues to decline, raising concerns about the potential long-term consequences of his detention.

photo source / Blockonome