Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, has been detained in Nigeria for over six months, facing serious allegations including money laundering and tax evasion. 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. In her efforts, Yuki has created a 'Bring Tigran Home' website to raise awareness about her husband's situation and garner public support [b7380877].
The situation has escalated as Gambaryan's health has deteriorated significantly during his imprisonment. Reports indicate he is suffering from severe malaria 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].
Gambaryan was arrested in February 2024 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].
U.S. diplomats have been actively urging Nigeria for Gambaryan's release, with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken raising the issue with Nigerian officials as early as May. The U.S. government is considering invoking the Levinson Act, which addresses wrongful detentions, reflecting growing international concern over the treatment of Gambaryan and the implications for Binance and the broader cryptocurrency industry [674082a3].
In light of these developments, U.S. lawmakers French Hill and Rich McCormick have authored a resolution demanding Gambaryan's immediate release, urging the U.S. government to recognize him as a 'citizen being wrongfully detained by a foreign government.' The U.S. State Department is actively monitoring the situation, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence in Nigeria, which remains a key U.S. ally and trading partner [622c8097, 5d6410f3].
This case underscores 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 [332421b4, e70b3dcd].