The family of Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria, reported that he is being denied proper access to his legal team, and his health is rapidly deteriorating, according to an Aug. 12 statement shared with CryptoSlate .

Gambaryan, who traveled to Abuja for a meeting with Nigerian officials in February, has been in detention since Feb. 26 , when the authorities confiscated his American passport. Since then, he has not seen his family—his wife and two young children.

The situation became more serious when the Abuja court went on its summer break on July 16, with the next hearing scheduled for Oct. 11 . The family reported that Tigran’s legal team had been blocked from seeing him since July 26, which is against the Nigerian constitution.

Worsening health

The family said that Gambaryan’s health was getting worse at the Kuje prison.

CryptoSlate previously reported that Gambaryan’s health was declining after he made his last court appearance in a wheelchair. At the time, the Judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Abuja prison doctor Abraham Ehizojie for failing to produce the medical report and directed that Gambaryan be admitted to a hospital for proper treatment.

However, the family statement indicated that this order hasn't been carried out yet because the prison officials are still keeping his medical records.

According to the family, Gambaryan has a herniated disc that needs complicated and risky surgery. He has also had several throat infections, pneumonia, and malaria while in jail, leading to the need for another surgery to remove his tonsils.

The family went on to say that he is currently taking medication to prevent blood clots.

Tigran's wife, Yuki Gambaryan, pleaded with the Nigerian government to release him so he could receive necessary medical attention. She expressed concern that his deteriorating condition could lead to irreversible damage and affect his ability to walk.

She also emphasized the emotional toll Tigran's detainment has taken on the family, stating:

“The absence of Tigran is making life increasingly difficult for all of us.”