A Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has reportedly left Nigeria after spending eight months in detention. This was revealed in a statement shared with Nairametrics on Thursday.
“Today, American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after eight months of unlawful detention,” the statement from his family read.
Family Reaction
Nairametrics previously reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja discharged Gambaryan from money laundering charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the charges on health grounds, as corroborated by the EFCC.
The statement added that Gambaryan was released from Kuje Prison on Wednesday night. His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed relief, stating, “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.”
She also thanked the U.S. government for its efforts in securing her husband’s release, adding, “There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength.” She noted that Tigran’s recovery would be challenging.
Binance CEO’s Response
Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, shared a statement with Nairametrics expressing his deep relief at Gambaryan’s release. “Throughout this difficult period, Tigran has shown immense strength, and we commend his resilience in the face of such severe adversity. We are deeply thankful to everyone who worked tirelessly to support Tigran’s release,” he said.
Teng emphasized that Tigran’s health and well-being are now a top priority for Binance, and he will receive the necessary medical care and rest alongside his family.
He also highlighted Binance’s commitment to collaborating with global regulators to ensure compliance and transparency in the evolving digital asset space. Teng expressed eagerness to move beyond “this episode” and continue contributing to the global blockchain industry.
He noted that Nigeria, with its young, tech-savvy population and strong interest in digital finance, is well-positioned to leverage blockchain technology to address economic and social challenges. Teng expressed Binance’s readiness to play a “constructive role” in that effort.
Background
On February 28, 2024, Nigerian authorities detained two senior Binance executives: Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, and Tigran Gambaryan, a 39-year-old American head of financial crime compliance at Binance.
Nairametrics reported that the executives filed a fundamental rights case against Nigerian government agencies, citing a violation of their constitutional right to liberty. The duo was sued by the EFCC and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on allegations of tax evasion, foreign exchange contravention, and money laundering. Anjarwalla fled Nigeria during detention, but Gambaryan remained in custody based on a court order.
Gambaryan’s bail applications were denied twice, as the court sided with the EFCC’s claim that he posed a flight risk. However, his family consistently raised concerns about his health and urged the EFCC to release him while continuing its case against Binance.
Source : Nairametrics
