Binance has appealed to the Federal Government to allow its head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, return to the United States over his deteriorating health condition.
In a statement on Tuesday, Binance spokesperson said the company will continue engagement with the federal government, while Gambaryan is al,lowed to seek adequate medical treatment.
Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Regional Manager for Africa, were detained by Nigerian authorities back in February.
Although Anjarwalla escaped from the custody of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the firm and Gambaryanwere charged in April with with money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Gambaryan’s legal team and his family had previously raised the alarm that the Binance executive could die in Kuje prison if his health continued to deteriorate.
His wife, Yuki, said her husband’s health was getting worse and that he requires a “highly specialised and risky surgery” to treat the herniated disc in his back.
At the resumption of trial on September 2, the EFCC objected to the health claims made by Gambaryan, saying the situation “is not as serious” as portrayed.
Speaking on the development, the Binance spokesperson said Gambaryan’s health is “rapidly declining”.
According to TheCable, the spokesperson said the footage of Gambaryan walking with the aid of crutches days ago is an highlight of his medical condition in detention.
“We are extremely distressed by the video of Tigran in court yesterday. This video is just a snapshot of Tigran’s current reality,” he was quoted as saying.
“His health is rapidly declining and we are deeply concerned about the long-term consequences of this unjust detention.
“Nigeria does not need to keep Tigran for us to settle any alleged past issues. We continue to implore the Government of Nigeria to let Tigran return home and let us continue in our engagements.
“Our recent resolutions with Brazil and India demonstrate how historical issues can be resolved through constructive dialogue and adherence to legal standards.
“This is the international standard of doing business.”
