Binance CEO Highlights Deteriorating Condition of Executive Tigran Gambaryan

Binance has called upon the US government and various global organizations to assist in the release of executive Tigran Gambaryan.

The Vice President of Global Intelligence and Investigations at the cryptocurrency exchange has been detained in Nigeria for six months. According to the company’s CEO, Richard Teng, the executive’s physical and mental health is rapidly declining.

“Despite Tigran suffering from severe pain and being unable to move, the Nigerian government has refused to provide him with necessary medical assistance and access to legal defense, which violates the constitution. He is also denied access to US consular support,” Teng noted.

He added that the authorities of the African country justify the executive’s detention with “unfounded accusations linking Binance to the country’s economic problems, including the fall of the naira.”

“There is no need to imprison an innocent employee for accusations against Binance. We have resolved issues in various countries around the world… without threats and harm to our employees,” the head of Binance emphasized.

Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, has appealed for his release, warning of the possibility of irreversible damage, reports The Block:

“Tigran Gambaryan, my husband, a former US federal agent, has been detained in a Nigerian prison for six months. His health is rapidly deteriorating: he can no longer walk, and he is inhumanely denied the use of a wheelchair.”

Gambaryan’s family claims that from July 26 to August 14, lawyers were not allowed to enter the prison to prepare for the trial. Subsequently, they were granted only a five-minute visit.

The next court hearing is scheduled for September 2.

Gambaryan and the exchange’s director for West and East Africa, Nadim Anjarwalla, were detained after a meeting with Nigerian authorities in February. Along with Binance Holdings Limited, they were accused of tax evasion and money laundering. The company and executives deny their guilt.

At the end of March, Anjarwalla secretly flew from Nigeria to Kenya. However, authorities tracked him there and arranged for extradition.

In June, Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service dropped tax evasion charges against the executives. However, they continue to face money laundering charges.

In July, US Representative Rich McCormick expressed the view that Washington should declare Gambaryan a hostage in Nigeria.