As a seasoned crypto investor with a keen interest in global politics and a soft spot for human rights, I find myself deeply concerned about the situation of Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive unjustly detained in Nigeria since February. Having been involved in the crypto space for quite some time now, I have witnessed firsthand how this industry can bring people together across borders and cultures – but it’s also no secret that it has its fair share of challenges when it comes to regulation and misunderstandings between governments and businesses.


Quietly, the U.S. administration is urging the Nigerian authorities to grant freedom to Tigran Gambaryan, who has been held as a Binance executive since February.

It’s been said that while in detention, Gambaryan has been dealing with significant health problems, leading some to advocate for his compassionate release.

Humanitarian Concerns

As per a recent New York Times article, two unnamed high-ranking officials from the U.S. Department of State disclosed that American diplomats have been secretly advocating for his release to Nigerian authorities, off the public record.

In May, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken personally brought up the case of Gambaryan with Nigeria’s foreign minister. Since then, various diplomats, including Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr., have had private conversations with President Bola Tinubu and several important ministers like those in charge of finance and trade, aiming to secure his release. This has been an ongoing effort since the initial discussion between Blinken and Nigeria’s foreign minister.

Diplomats have raised humanitarian issues, pointing out that the Binance Executive is battling malaria and issues stemming from a herniated disc. They also assert that his family believes he hasn’t received proper medical attention while in prison, which has exacerbated his health problems.

Despite concerns raised, the nation’s authorities argue that the individual in question receives adequate medical care. A government spokesperson added that it is the appropriate court setting to evaluate the validity of any potential prosecution.

As an analyst, I’m sharing that Bayo Onanuga, a senior advisor to President Tinubu, has acknowledged the apprehensions from the U.S. government and affirmed that talks are underway. In his own words, he stated, “We, as a government, will strive to do everything feasible, while ensuring compliance with the law, and taking into account Gambaryan’s humanitarian rights.

Richard Teng has additionally voiced criticism towards the nation’s administration over their alleged “cruel handling” of the firm’s Head of Crime Compliance, as evidenced by a video depicting him in a troubled state during a court proceeding.

Strained Relations

Currently, there’s tension in U.S.-Nigeria relations due to the incarceration of Gambaryan, as reported by unnamed sources.

Lawyers for Gambaryan have asked the U.S. State Department to categorize him as “improperly imprisoned” to amplify the pressure on Nigeria. In July, Representative Rich McCormick proposed a resolution describing his detention as a “hostage-like situation,” alleging that Nigeria is keeping him in order to extort money from the cryptocurrency exchange he represents.

Previously serving law enforcement official was taken into custody while on a commercial visit to Nigeria, during which he discussed Binance’s activities within the country.

The major global crypto exchange allegedly disrupted the local economy by facilitating the outflow of funds abroad and weakening the Nigerian currency (naira). Consequently, the head of the company faced accusations of money laundering and tax evasion, although the tax-related charges were eventually dismissed.

Although these advancements have occurred, Binance maintains that Gambaryan should not bear responsibility for the company’s actions, as he holds a mid-tier position within the organization.

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2024-09-14 01:30