Nigerian Court Postpones Bail Hearing For Binance Compliance Head As Health Deteriorates

A Nigerian court has postponed a decision on the bail application for Tigran Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial compliance, whose health has been steadily worsening since his imprisonment earlier this year.

The next bail hearing is now scheduled for Oct. 9, CoinDesk reported Wednesday.

Gambaryan’s lawyer filed a new request for bail on medical grounds, arguing the executive has been in urgent need of surgery since July 18 with a condition that cannot be properly addressed while he remains incarcerated.

According to Bloomberg, Gambaryan, who was seen limping into court on Monday after being denied a wheelchair, is suffering from a host of serious health conditions, including malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis and complications from a herniated disc in his back, leaving him almost unable to walk.

The family of Gambaryan, who was detained earlier this year by Nigerian authorities under contested circumstances, has expressed deep concerns over his deteriorating health and the delay in medical care.

His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, issued a strong statement calling for greater action from the U.S. government to intervene.

“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,” Yuki said in a statement provided to Benzinga.

She further criticized the Nigerian authorities for their handling of the case and the lack of transparency regarding her husband's medical condition.

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“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… 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,” she added, describing the situation as “inhumane and degrading.”

The case has drawn attention to the complex legal and regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrency in Nigeria, particularly with Binance, one of the world's largest crypto exchanges, facing increased scrutiny.

Gambaryan's arrest and ongoing detention have been marred by controversy, as his family and legal team continue to assert that he was lured to Nigeria under false pretenses.

As the bail hearing approaches, there is rising pressure on both the Nigerian and U.S. governments to resolve the situation, with calls for urgent medical attention and potential diplomatic intervention.

As the digital asset market continues to mature, the convergence of regulatory shifts, M&A activities, and adoption trends will define the future of this dynamic field. Benzinga's Future of Digital Assets event in New York City this November will provide industry leaders and investors a platform to explore these developments further, offering insights into the evolving regulatory environment and the latest market dynamics.

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