Key Takeaways:
- Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has been detained in Nigeria since February, facing ongoing money laundering accusations despite dropped tax charges.
- Gambaryan’s health has severely deteriorated, leading to international appeals, including from U.S. lawmakers, for his release on humanitarian grounds.
- Binance has withdrawn from Nigeria’s market, halting operations in the country’s currency following the incident.
Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, has been detained in Nigeria since February, leading to growing pressure for his release.
Binance CEO Richard Teng and Gambaryan’s family are urging Nigerian authorities to release him on humanitarian grounds, citing severe health issues, including malaria, pneumonia, and deteriorating mental health.
Today marks 6 months since Tigran was unjustly detained. He is denied proper medical treatment & legal counsel.
— Richard Teng (@_RichardTeng) August 27, 2024
We appeal to the Nigerian government on humanitarian grounds to allow Tigran to return home for urgent medical care & reunite with his family.https://t.co/AKTij48o4U
Gambaryan, who traveled to Nigeria for regulatory discussions, was detained alongside colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, initially charged with tax evasion and money laundering.
While the tax charges were dropped in June, Gambaryan still faces money laundering accusations in court on Sept. 2.
Former US Federal Agent Tigran Gambaryan has been detained by the Nigerian Government since February 26th 2024. Today, August 26th, 2024 made it six months since he was detained in Nigeria.
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) August 26, 2024
His wife, Yuki, who has not seen her husband for half a year, recorded this video to help… pic.twitter.com/OvupJLET4c
Despite international appeals, including from U.S. lawmakers, Gambaryan remains in custody at the Kuje Detention Facility.
Binance has since ceased operations in Nigeria’s currency and withdrawn from the market.
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