In Venezuela, the government has blocked access to cryptocurrency exchange Binance, social media platform X, and other online services following disputed presidential election results. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, U.S. Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan faces deteriorating health conditions in prison, with limited access to legal counsel, as he awaits trial on money laundering charges.
U.S. Binance Employee Tigran Gambaryan Faces Rapid Health Deterioration in Nigerian Prison Amid Legal Battle
In a situation that has drawn international attention, Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. employee of Binance, is reportedly suffering from rapidly declining health while detained in a Nigerian prison. His family has expressed grave concern over his deteriorating condition and the lack of adequate access to legal counsel, highlighting the challenges he faces as his legal battle continues.
Gambaryan, a former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent and currently the head of financial crime compliance at Binance, has been held in Kuje prison since February. His arrest followed allegations of money laundering, a charge to which he has pleaded not guilty. Earlier tax-related charges against him were dropped in June, yet his incarceration continues under the money laundering accusations.
According to a statement from Gambaryan's family, his health has significantly worsened during his time in detention. The family described his condition as dire, with Gambaryan now bedridden due to severe medical issues. He was last seen in public on July 16, when he was brought to an Abuja courtroom in a wheelchair for a hearing. The court has since gone on recess, with the next hearing scheduled for Oct. 11.
"The herniated disc in Tigran’s back requires highly specialized and risky surgery. He has had so many throat infections as well as pneumonia at Kuje, that he now also requires a further surgery to remove his tonsils. As he is mostly bedridden, he is now having to take blood thinners to avoid blood clots," the family detailed in an emailed statement.
Despite a court order demanding the release of Gambaryan's medical records, the prison authorities have allegedly withheld them, further exacerbating concerns about his treatment. His family is desperately calling for immediate medical attention, fearing that his condition could become life-threatening if not addressed promptly.
Legal Hurdles and International Concerns
Compounding the health concerns is the issue of Gambaryan's restricted access to his legal team. His lawyers have not been allowed to visit him in Kuje prison since July 26, a situation that has severely hampered his defense. In response, his legal team has filed a request for an emergency hearing during the court’s recess period, though it remains unclear whether this will be granted.
The case has caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers, with members of Congress urging the Biden administration to intervene and seek Gambaryan’s return to the United States. The prolonged detention and deteriorating health of the former IRS agent have raised significant human rights concerns, with calls for his immediate release or, at the very least, for him to receive adequate medical care and legal representation.
Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange where Gambaryan is employed, has expressed its commitment to supporting its employee during this challenging time. A spokesperson for Binance stated, "Tigran has been detained for over 150 days, and his physical health is deteriorating. Binance remains committed to continuing to work with the Nigerian government to resolve this."
The company has been actively engaged with the Nigerian authorities in an effort to expedite the legal proceedings and ensure that Gambaryan receives the medical care he urgently needs. However, the path to resolution appears fraught with challenges as the legal process drags on and Gambaryan’s condition worsens.
Gambaryan’s case shines the spotlight on the complex and often perilous nature of international legal disputes, particularly for individuals working in the fast-evolving and heavily scrutinized world of cryptocurrency. As Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Crimes Commission remain silent on the matter, the lack of transparency and the extended legal delays are drawing criticism from human rights advocates and the international community.
The situation also brings attention to the precarious position of foreign nationals detained abroad, where legal protections and access to basic rights such as medical care can be severely limited. As pressure mounts on both the Nigerian and U.S. governments to address Gambaryan's plight, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether he will receive the care and justice he deserves.
In the meantime, his family continues to plead for urgent intervention, fearing that without it, the outcome could be tragic. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and human rights.
Venezuela Blocks Access to Binance, X, and Other Online Services Amid Post-Election Turmoil
In a dramatic escalation of state control over internet access, Venezuela's government has blocked access to the popular cryptocurrency exchange Binance, social media platform X, and several other online services as unrest grips the country following disputed presidential election results.
The crackdown on digital platforms began on Aug. 9, with reports emerging from local anti-censorship organization VE sin Filtro that a Domain Name System (DNS) block had been placed on Binance, disrupting the normal functioning of its website and mobile application. This block is part of a broader pattern of restrictions imposed on various websites across different sectors in Venezuela, including social media platforms.
The Latin American-focused X account of Binance confirmed the block, acknowledging the access restrictions faced by its users in Venezuela. The exchange assured users that their funds remain secure and that it is "monitoring the situation closely to address it in the best and quickest way possible."
Cryptocurrency, particularly through Binance’s peer-to-peer service, has become a vital tool for many Venezuelans seeking to escape the crippling effects of hyperinflation on the national currency, the bolívar. The peer-to-peer service allows users to directly exchange cash for crypto, providing a lifeline in a country where economic stability is elusive, and access to traditional financial systems is severely limited.
The recent government-imposed block on Binance has, therefore, struck at the heart of a crucial financial resource for Venezuelans. In response, VE sin Filtro recommended that users circumvent the block by using virtual private networks (VPNs), which can mask their location and grant them access to restricted websites.
The block on Binance came just one day after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered the country’s telecommunications regulator, Conatel, to ban access to X for 10 days. This move, announced during a televised speech on Aug. 8, is widely seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent following the highly contested presidential election on July 28.
Maduro’s actions appear to be linked to a public spat with X owner Elon Musk, which escalated into a bizarre exchange of challenges to a physical fight between the two. While the spat might seem trivial on the surface, it brings into focus the broader tensions between Maduro's regime and influential figures who control significant platforms for public discourse.
The encrypted messaging app Signal was also targeted, with reports from the internet monitoring project NetBlocks confirming that it was blocked on the same day as X. However, NetBlocks noted that Signal remains functional for users who enable the "censorship circumvention" setting, allowing them to continue using the app despite government efforts to restrict access.
Election Dispute and International Reactions
The backdrop to this wave of censorship is the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela. Widespread protests erupted following the July 28 presidential election, where both Maduro and his rival, Edmundo González, claimed victory. Venezuela's government-controlled electoral authority declared Maduro the winner with just over 51% of the vote, yet it has refused to release detailed vote counts, fueling suspicions of electoral fraud.
González, meanwhile, contends that his party's collected voting machine printouts show he won with nearly 70% of the vote. His claim has been bolstered by the refusal of multiple international bodies, including the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and several South American countries, to recognize Maduro's victory. These entities have called for transparency and detailed vote counts to resolve the dispute.
The international community's skepticism of Maduro's claim to the presidency has only intensified the unrest within Venezuela, where citizens are increasingly frustrated with the lack of accountability and transparency from their government. The blocking of online services, including vital communication and financial platforms, is likely to exacerbate tensions further as Venezuelans struggle to express their grievances and access essential services.
As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, the government's heavy-handed approach to controlling information and financial access is likely to face increasing scrutiny from both domestic and international actors. The blocks on Binance, X, and Signal represent more than just technical restrictions—they are indicative of a regime struggling to maintain control in the face of mounting opposition and widespread dissatisfaction.
