US pressuring Nigeria to release Binance’s Gambaryan

The US government is reportedly stepping up its diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024.

According to the New York Times, US government officials reportedly held private meetings with the Nigerian president, finance minister, attorney general and trade minister to advocate for Gambaryan’s release.

Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement official and Binance (BNB) head of financial crime compliance, traveled to Nigeria to hold meetings about the exchange’s business dealings in the country, but was arrested on charges of tax evasion and money laundering.

Although the tax charges were later dropped, he remains in custody on money laundering charges.

According to NYT, Gambaryan’s detention has strained US-Nigeria relations, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken personally conveyed the issue to his Nigerian counterpart.

Gambaryan’s health problems

As Gambaryan’s health condition reportedly deteriorated, other US diplomats, including the Nigerian ambassador, pressed for his release on humanitarian grounds.

The man, who suffered from malaria and complications from a herniated disc, has been denied adequate medical care, leading to further health problems, his family claim.

In late August, Binance CEO Richard Teng called for Gambaryan’s release, criticizing the Nigerian government for holding him on the basis of “baseless allegations.” Teng stressed that the executive’s detention had caused serious physical and mental harm, and urged Nigeria to resolve the situation amicably, as Binance has done in other countries.

According to press releases shared with Crypto.news, during his last court hearing in early September, Gambaryan was reportedly denied access to a wheelchair and forced to use crutches.

Despite the government’s best efforts, Gambaryan remains in the Kuje Detention Centre near Abuja, and the US continues its efforts to secure his release.