There Must Be Consequences For Nigeria’s Disregard For Detained Gambaryan’s Rights, Binance Executive’s Wife Appeals To U.S. For Help
According to the family, his medical records show that he needs urgent surgery. They lamented that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied him bail and access to his lawyers.
The family of the executive of cryptocurrency trading company Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, detained in Nigeria over alleged money laundering and tax evasion, have raised an alarm over his health condition.
According to the family, his medical records show that he needs urgent surgery. They lamented that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied him bail and access to his lawyers.
The family, which raised the alarm through its communications agency, Mondo-Advisory, lamented that the EFCC prosecutor on Monday asked the court to deny Gambaryan’s bail application to embark on an urgent medical trip because the anti-corruption agency said “Gambaryan is not ill”.
According to the family, Gambaryan’s bail application on medical grounds was opposed by the EFCC prosecutor despite his deteriorating health condition.
The family said Gambaryan is suffering from severe conditions including a herniated disc, pneumonia, malaria, and tonsillitis, and that he appeared in court on Monday in visible distress and was denied a wheelchair, forcing him to use crutches.
The family also alleged that the “EFCC has withheld crucial medical information and claims Gambaryan is refusing treatment, despite evidence to the contrary”.
The family explained in a statement issued through the communication agency that in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, lawyers for Gambaryan told the court that his detention conditions at Kuje prison had deteriorated so significantly that they had been unable to meet with him to adequately prepare for trial.
The lawyers said they were also deeply concerned about his health conditions, noting a herniated disc in his back as well as suffering bouts of pneumonia, malaria and tonsillitis.
The statement reads, “Tigran was denied use of a wheelchair to enter the court and so had to try to make his way in on crutches.
“He was in visible pain and very distressed and broke down crying in court. Tigran’s lawyers filed a new bail application for him on medical grounds as well as the fact that they have been blocked from entering to see him and preparing for the trial.
“The application was opposed by the EFCC prosecutor because they claim that he is not in ill health despite finally handing over part of his medical records which recommends surgery as soon as possible.
“Key elements of the record including an MRI scan were missing. Contradictingly, the EFCC prosecution is also claiming that Tigran is refusing treatment.
“The judge will continue to hear the application for bail and will continue the trial on September 4th.
“Tigran made a plea to the judge saying that he is not receiving proper medical care at the prison and that he is being denied basic rights including access to his legal counsel and embassy representatives. The judge ordered that he be allowed to use a wheelchair.”
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki in a statement said, “This situation is entirely unjust. My husband was unlawfully detained by the Nigerian government after being invited under false pretenses for a meeting in their country.
“During this prolonged imprisonment, his health continues to deteriorate, and now, he is in so much pain that he can barely walk.
“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.
“I am also deeply concerned about recent statements from Nigerian authorities denying Tigran’s health issues.
“The truth is that the prison has withheld his medical records for months, and even the partial records they finally released today say that Tigran needs 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. There must be consequences for this disregard of law and human rights.”
