Lawmakers Advocate for Prompt Release of Detained Binance Executive

Members of the United States Congress have submitted a resolution calling on the Nigerian government to immediately release Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been detained since February 2024.

The resolution urges the U.S. government to formally declare Gambaryan as a “U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government” and to use all available resources to secure his release.

Gambaryan, the head of financial crime compliance at Binance, was initially detained alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Africa, in a guest house in Abuja.

While Anjarwalla managed to escape, Gambaryan remained in custody and was later transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre.

Concerns Over Gambaryan’s Health and Rights

The resolution also calls on the Nigerian government to provide Gambaryan with unrestricted medical access and ensure he receives all necessary care, including prescriptions and antimalarials, as reports indicate his physical health has deteriorated while in detention.

Lawmakers Advocate for Prompt Release of Detained Binance Executive

Additionally, the resolution demands that the Nigerian government grant full, unfettered, and consistent consular access to Gambaryan, in line with its international obligations.

Furthermore, the resolution urges the Nigerian government to ensure Gambaryan’s constitutionally afforded due process rights and universally recognized human rights are upheld.

Binance’s Advocacy for the Binance Executive’s Release

Following Gambaryan’s detention, Binance and its CEO, Richard Teng, have written to the authorities, advocating for his release.

They have stated that Gambaryan is not a decision-maker in the company and is not part of the exchange’s management, and therefore should not be detained.

Gambaryan has also filed a lawsuit against the EFCC and the National Security Adviser (NSA) for human rights violations, and recently amended the suit to seek compensation.

However, his bail application was denied, with the EFCC claiming he posed a “flight risk.”

Developments in the Tax Evasion Case

In a separate development, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria’s tax authority, has decided to drop its charges against Gambaryan and his colleague implicated in the tax evasion case against Binance, following the exchange’s provision of a representative.

Nonetheless, Binance remains hopeful that the EFCC will follow the tax authority’s example and release Gambaryan from detention.

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