Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024, facing serious allegations including money laundering and tax evasion. Recently, the tax charges against him were dropped, but he remains in custody as the legal battle continues. His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, has launched a heartfelt appeal for his release, emphasizing the emotional toll on their two young children, aged 5 and 10. She has created a 'Bring Tigran Home' website to raise awareness about her husband's situation and garner public support [b7380877].
Gambaryan's health has deteriorated significantly during his imprisonment; he is suffering from severe malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and a herniated disk. Binance CEO Richard Teng has expressed deep concern over Gambaryan’s health and has called for his release on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing the need for urgent medical attention [b7380877].
U.S. attorneys general, led by Sean Reyes of Utah, have urged President Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to classify Gambaryan as a hostage, reflecting growing international concern over his treatment. The U.S. government has been mostly silent but is believed to be engaging in diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation [884df26a].
Gambaryan was arrested alongside his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla amid allegations that the Nigerian government is seeking $10 billion from Binance. While Anjarwalla managed to escape the country, Gambaryan remains in custody, where his health has reportedly worsened [b7380877]. His legal team, led by Mark Mordi, has faced repeated bail rejections, and a trial is set for October 25, 2024 [884df26a].
U.S. diplomats have been actively urging Nigeria for Gambaryan's release, with Blinken raising the issue with Nigerian officials. The situation has highlighted the increasing scrutiny and regulatory challenges faced by cryptocurrency exchanges globally, particularly as they navigate complex legal landscapes in various jurisdictions. The outcome of Gambaryan's detention could have significant ramifications for Binance and its operations in Nigeria and beyond [674082a3], [332421b4].