Binance executive detained in Nigeria since February appears in court with severe health issues, begging for help and justice.
Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained in Abuja seven months ago, appeared in a Nigerian court on Monday. A one-minute footage shared on X (formerly Twitter) shows the employee’s painful entry into the courtroom as he struggles to walk with a crutch due to a herniated disc and other health issues.
Tigran Begs for Help in New Footage
In a scene shown in the footage, Tigran begs a guard for support. He was heard saying, “I’m not okay.” Then he said, “He was told not to help me. This is an instruction.” As if trying to reveal the truthfulness of his statement, Gambaryan tried to hold onto the man again, but he stepped away.
When the guard steps away, leaving him unassisted, Gambaryan appeals to onlookers, “Why couldn’t I use a wheelchair? This is a show. I’m an innocent person.” Despite his distress, the guard refuses further help, telling Gambaryan to walk, to which he responds, “I can’t […] walk, my spine is […] I’m a human.”
The footage paints a picture of Tigran’s desperation for freedom due to the severity of his physical and emotional suffering. The words “I am an innocent person” show the employee sensed injustice from the Nigerian authorities. However, Gambaryan’s pleas were evident not only in the footage but also in his official pleas.
Tigran Begs Officially
Tigran’s bail application was rejected in May. The prison authorities, where Gambaryan has been detained since March, had previously withheld his health records. A family spokesperson disclosed that some of his medical records were presented to the court on Monday. The report shows that Gambaryan requires urgent surgical attention.
The spokesperson claims Gambaryan has faced multiple challenges, including inadequate medical care, restricted access to his legal representatives, and limited contact with U.S. embassy staff. Tigran’s wife, Yuki, has described the situation as “entirely unjust” in a public statement.
Undeterred by the first bail rejection, the executive’s legal team submitted a new bail application, citing medical reasons. They requested the judge to grant bail to enable Tigran to receive medical treatment for various health issues he has developed while in prison, including malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and complications from the aforementioned herniated disc.
