Today commemorates six months after Tigran Gambaryan, a former US Federal agent and Binance employee, was imprisoned by Nigerian officials on February 26th, 2024.
He was reportedly refused access to necessary medical care while detained, and he is now unable to walk due to a herniated disc in his back.
Because he is bed-bound, he must take blood thinners to avoid blood clots, and the jail doctor reports that his muscles have atrophied.
Tigran’s lawyers were denied access to the prison from July 26th to August 14th in order to visit him and prepare for trial.
They were granted a quick 5-minute visit on August 15th, but have since been blocked from entering again. His legal team is therefore unable to prepare him for trial, which goes against the Nigerian constitution.
Tigran is no longer able to use a wheelchair and is unable to go to the guest area; thus, the US Embassy no longer has access to him.
The 16th of July was a break for the court. The next hearing date is now set for September 2nd after a motion to have the matter heard during the break was granted.
While in custody, Tigran has missed many significant occasions, such as his son’s fifth birthday and first day of school; he even missed his own 40th birthday while he was imprisoned in a Nigerian prison cell.
Not only is August 31st his wife’s birthday, but he will also be missing their 15th wedding anniversary.
Tigran’s wife Yuki has released a video plea and the following statement asking for his release before the damage done to him is irreversible. “It has been 6 months since I last hugged my husband and since our children last held their father’s hand.
“Tigran Gambaryan, my husband, a former US federal agent, has now been detained in a Nigerian prison for half a year. His health is deteriorating to the point where he can no longer walk, and he is being inhumanely denied the use of a wheelchair.
“Between bouts of malaria, pneumonia, and the incredible mental toll of his detention, Tigran, who is usually so strong, is reaching a breaking point. He needs immediate medical treatment and risks permanent damage.
“For 6 months, our living nightmare has been filled with pleas. Pleas to the U.S. government, pleas to the Nigerian government, pleas to the media, pleas to anyone who will listen. I am pleading for their mercy, for their understanding, for their humanity.
“My husband is innocent and needs to be released before it is too late, and the damage done to him is irreversible. 6 months is too long; please help me bring my husband home.”
