‘This is f*cked up!’ Binance exec claims Nigerian court denied him wheelchair
Footage has emerged of Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria for seven months, pleading with Nigerian prison staff after authorities reportedly denied his request for a wheelchair.
The Binance staffer, who was detained alongside fellow Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla when the pair traveled to Nigeria in February, was in court to answer money laundering charges. However, before proceedings could begin, he was seen screaming at prison staff and journalists, begging for help, and accusing the court of instructing warders not to help him.
In a video uploaded to X (formerly Twitter) he is seen shouting, “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?”
After being refused help from prison staff, he continued, “I can’t f*cking walk, this is f*cked up. I’m a f*cking human. “I’m not f*cking okay.”
Gambaryan has been denied bail on two occasions and alleges that, while in prison, he has been suffering from a number of ailments, including malaria, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and a herniated disc in his back. Nigerian officials, however, claim that he has refused treatment.
Read more: Nigeria teams with Interpol to return missing Binance exec
Why doesn’t Binance use private commandos?
The video of a clearly distressed Gambaryan has provoked widespread criticism on social media with many questioning why Binance, as his employer, will not or cannot do more to help.
Binance CEO Richard Teng posted on Wednesday, “This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family.”
However, this wasn’t enough for some users. “Bro. Too much talks/tweets without actions is nothing. You and Binance have failed him as his employer,” wrote one while another said, “Lmao! What are you people doing about it? Absolutely nothing. I’m almost convinced you people have sacrifices [sic] him.”
Others urged the US government to get involved and one even suggested Binance use ‘private commandos‘ to rescue him.
Users have also laid the blame for Gambaryan’s situation firmly at the door of the Nigerian justice system, pointing out that such treatment appears harsh, particularly given that he is, at least for now, innocent until proven guilty.
Read more: Binance exec accused of tax evasion flees Nigeria during mosque visit
The US government is yet to issue an official statement regarding Gambaryan, his detainment, or treatment by Nigerian authorities.
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