‘Why Are You Doing This To Me?’: Detained Binance Executive Pleads for Assistance in Distressing Courtroom Footage
Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking executive at Binance who has been incarcerated in Nigeria since February, was captured on video begging for help as he struggled to walk into an Abuja courtroom. Denied a wheelchair by prison authorities, Gambaryan limped and relied on a single crutch for support, visibly in pain. In the footage, he pleaded with a prison guard for assistance, stating, “I’m not okay, this is f*cked up. Why couldn’t I use a goddamn wheelchair? This is a show. I’m a f*cking innocent person. Why are you doing this to me?”
Gambaryan’s lawyers filed a bail application on medical grounds, highlighting his urgent need for medical attention. They cited health conditions such as malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and complications from a herniated disc in his back, which has caused severe pain and impaired his mobility. However, a prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the entity prosecuting Gambaryan for money laundering, opposed the bail application, claiming he was refusing treatment and not in poor health.
Gambaryan’s previous bail application was denied, and he continues to face obstacles in obtaining necessary medical care. Despite this, he has been denied access to his lawyers and U.S. embassy staff. The lack of medical attention and denial of basic rights have stirred outcry from Gambaryan’s family, who have urged the U.S. government to intervene and secure his release.
Detained in Nigeria amid accusations of tax evasion and money laundering, Gambaryan was initially placed under house arrest before being transferred to Kuje prison. While the tax evasion charges have since been dropped, Gambaryan’s money laundering trial is ongoing. Throughout this ordeal, the U.S. government has remained silent, prompting calls for stronger advocacy on behalf of an American citizen facing unjust treatment.