said Binance CEO Richard Teng, an executive serving a prison sentence in Nigeria. Teng called for the release of Tigran Gambarian. Gambarian has been detained in Nigeria since February 26.
Binance CEO Richard Teng on Monday condemned Nigerian authorities in a court house after a video surfaced online showing him refusing to help Tigran Gambarian.
“This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end,” Teng wrote that Tuesday in X. “He should be allowed to go home for medical treatment and be with his family.”
This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He should be allowed to go home for medical treatment and stay with his family. https://t.co/HsQNoyE0cS
— Richard Teng (@_RichardTeng) September 3, 2024
This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He should be allowed to go home for medical treatment and stay with his family. https://t.co/HsQNoyE0cS
— Richard Teng (@_RichardTeng) September 3, 2024
News Gambarian, a US-based compliance manager at Binance who suffered from a herniated disc in his back, denied using a wheelchair in court, it was reported Monday.
The video showed an officer from the Nigerian Correctional Service asking the struggling Gambarian to walk down a corridor on one crutch, despite his pleas for help.
“It's fucked up,” Gambarian repeated. “Why can't I use a wheelchair, I can't fucking walk”
The correctional officer replied, “Handle yourself, let's go.”
“Don't hold me,” added the officer, putting Gambarian's hand aside. “You can walk, let's go.”
Appeal for a wheelchair
Gambarian, 40, appeared in court after a long summer break as his $35 million money laundering trial resumed. He denied the charges and his lawyer denounced the Nigerian prosecution as “state-sanctioned hostage-taking”.
Join the community to get our latest articles and updates
After the opening of the session on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite acceded to Gambarian's plea for a wheelchair.
The drama is the latest round of Gambarian's long-running case in Nigeria.
A Binance executive is caught in the middle of a legal battle between the Nigerian government and Binance, the world's top crypto exchange.
The African country has charged the two parties with currency speculation and money laundering totaling up to $35 million, which Binance denies.
Health is declining
Gambarian has been detained in Nigeria since February 26 and spent four months in Kuje prison pending the outcome of the trial.
As independently verified by his family, legal team, US Embassy officials and visiting US lawmakers, his health worsened during the prolonged detention.
The Binance executive previously suffered from malaria and pneumonia in prison and did not receive adequate treatment.
But Nigerian officials say he is in good health.
“He acted well and was on show, but I can confirm that he is very well,” said an official who spoke to News on condition of anonymity.
However, the jail authorities ignored the court order to submit Gambarian's medical reports.
A spokesman for Gambarian's family said the Nigerian prison authorities are acting with malice.
“Tigran is obviously sick and sad,” the spokesperson said. “We know Tigran is in terrible health and suffering a lot.”
Osato Awan-Nomayo Our Nigeria based DeFi representative. He covers DeFi and technology. To share tips or information about articles, please contact him here [email protected].
Related TopicsBINANCE NIGERIABINANCE
