A Nigerian Judge has put off the bail application of Tigran Gambaryan, a top executive at Binance, to October 9, local media reported on Thursday. Gambaryan has been held in Nigeria since February and troubles are far from over for the Binance top executive as he may not be allowed to post bail until October. This news comes as a shock to many who have been following his case. Gambaryan, who works as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, was first arrested by Nigerian authorities on charges of tax evasion and money laundering. Now, after months in custody, the situation remains tense as his family and supporters continue to push for his release.
A court hearing on September 2 showed that Gambaryan is not in good health. A video from the court shows him struggling to walk, and there was no help from the guards. His family, especially his wife Yuki, has been very worried about his health. They say that his health is getting worse while he remains in a Nigerian prison.
Gambaryan’s case has captured the attention of many people, including lawmakers and leaders in the crypto world. They say he is being treated unfairly and are calling for his release.
Tigran Gambaryan Still Waiting on Bail
The legal team for Gambaryan has been working hard to get him released on bail. They argue that his health problems are serious, and the prison in Nigeria is not providing him with proper care. So far, their requests for bail have been delayed. The latest decision on whether Tigran Gambaryan will be granted bail has been pushed to October 9. This means that he will have to stay in custody for at least another month, adding to the six months he has already spent behind bars.
Gambaryan’s arrest has caused concern among many, especially because he is a U.S. citizen and a former IRS special agent. His supporters say that he should not be in prison for this long, and that the charges against him are not fair. His wife, Yuki, has started a petition to bring Tigran Gambaryan back to the U.S. This petition has already gained more than 5,400 signatures, showing the strong support from people who believe in his innocence.
Tigran Gambaryan’s Health Worsens
One of the most worrying aspects of Gambaryan’s detention is his health. His family and legal team have raised the alarm, saying that his condition is getting worse each day. The video from his court appearance on September 2 was shocking for many, as it showed Tigran Gambaryan barely able to walk without help. Despite this, the guards did not assist him, which has led to even more criticism of how he is being treated in custody.
Gambaryan’s legal team is using his declining health as a key reason for why he should be granted bail. They argue that keeping him in such poor conditions is not only unfair but also dangerous for his well-being. They are hoping that the court will take this into account during the next hearing in October.
Gambaryan is not the only executive from a tech or crypto company to face legal trouble in 2024. In August, Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, was arrested in France on charges related to money laundering and cryptology services. It seems that authorities in several countries are now focusing on high-profile figures in the tech and crypto industries.
Another Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, was also arrested in Nigeria at the same time as Tigran Gambaryan. However, Nadeem Anjarwalla managed to escape to Kenya. Nigerian authorities are now trying to bring him back to face charges as well. While some of the charges, such as tax evasion, have been dropped for both Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, they still face accusations of money laundering.
Hope for Justice
As the case of Tigran Gambaryan continues to unfold, many are hopeful that justice will be served soon. His family, legal team, and supporters remain strong in their fight to have him released. The next few weeks will be crucial as the October 9 hearing approaches, and all eyes will be on the Nigerian court to see if Tigran Gambaryan will finally be granted bail.
Gambaryan’s case has become a symbol of the larger legal issues facing crypto executives around the world. Many are now wondering if this is part of a global effort to clamp down on the crypto industry. As we wait for more news, it is clear that this case is far from over.
Stay tuned to The BIT Journal for more updates on the case of Gambaryan.