Deniz 
Resuming hearings for Tigran Gambaryan’s money laundering trial on Monday, the Binance executive entered the Abuja court in a very distraught state on crutches having been denied use of a wheelchair, according to a family statement.
Nigerian authorities have held the Binance executive for six months; his physical and mental health is fast declining. He has had herniated discs in his back and episodes of pneumonia, malaria, and tonsillitis. Lawyers for Gambaryan further assert that his incarceration circumstances at Kuje jail have prevented them from meeting with him to get ready for trial.
The family reported Gambaryan broke down in court crying at one point and was clearly in distress. Alleged ban on access to their client, Gambaryan’s lawyers applied for a fresh bail on medical grounds.
Prosecutors of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission rejected the application, allegedly arguing that the Binance executive was not sick and had refused treatment in any event, the family said. Despite the prosecutors turning over part of his medical records suggesting surgery as soon as possible, they said, claiming important sections of the document had also been deleted.
In March, Gambaryan sued the EFCC and the National Security Adviser of Nigeria for violating his fundamental human rights. On Monday, he asked the court another plea, stating he is not getting appropriate medical treatment at the prison and is being deprived access to his legal counsel and embassy officials.
The judge decided to let Gambaryan use a wheelchair and will keep listening for the bail application as the trial moves on Wednesday.
“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. The U.S. government must do more to help Tigran,” Yuki, Gambaryan’s wife, stated in the statement.
“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, and even the partial records they finally released today say that Tigran needs surgery. This entire situation is inhumane and degrading, and I am fed up. There must be consequences for this disregard of law and human rights,” she said.
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