Binance Exec’s Wife Criticizes US Delayed Response In Nigeria Trial

The ordeal began in February when Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Kenya, traveled to Abuja to meet with Nigerian officials. The backdrop of their visit was a significant financial crisis in Nigeria, marked by the collapse of the naira, the national currency, at the beginning of the year.

The Nigerian government, searching for reasons behind the currency’s collapse, pointed fingers at Binance. They accused the crypto exchange of operating without a license in Nigeria and facilitating the manipulation of the naira and enabling illicit financial transactions. Binance has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that their operations are lawful and above board.

Tigran Gambaryan’s Arrest and Initial Detention

On the eve of their flight to Abuja, Tigran Gambaryan faced a seemingly trivial decision: whether to bring a small carry-on or a large suitcase. His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, recounted in an interview with DL News that Tigran opted for the smaller bag, anticipating a brief two-day trip. However, this trip turned into a nightmare lasting over three months. Shortly after arriving in Nigeria, officials seized Tigran’s passport and placed him under guard in a “guest house.”

By the fourth day, they had obtained court permission to detain him for two weeks. Approximately four weeks into his detention, Tigran’s situation worsened when officials confiscated his phone and charged him with facilitating money laundering and tax evasion. Yuki expressed her frustration with the lack of action from the US government to aid her husband, who languished in detention under what she and their lawyer describe as bogus charges.

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Extended Imprisonment and Legal Battles

After six weeks of confinement in Nigeria, Tigran was transferred to a medium-security prison, which also housed Boko Haram and Islamic State terrorists. The harsh conditions and lack of medical care took a toll on Tigran, who fainted on the first day of his trial in May, potentially due to malaria. His lawyer has called the arrest a “state-sanctioned hostage taking,” highlighting the severity and injustice of his prolonged detention.

Despite a judge’s order for Tigran to be transferred to a hospital, he has been denied medical care, with his trial postponed until June 20. During this time, Tigran has missed significant family milestones, including his son’s fifth birthday and pre-kindergarten graduation, and he even turned 40 in prison. Yuki, reflecting on the situation, expressed her disbelief and anguish, stating that Tigran’s only misstep was attending a meeting, which has led to his unjust imprisonment.

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