The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has announced that its Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, has been released from detention in Nigeria and has returned home to his family.
Gambaryan’s ordeal lasted eight months, during which his health significantly deteriorated.
In a statement, Binance expressed relief that Gambaryan is now free and can receive the medical attention he desperately needs. His wife, Yuki, echoed this sentiment, describing the past eight months as a “living nightmare” and thanking the US government and supporters for their efforts in securing his release.
Gambaryan’s release follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which dismissed the money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had previously stated that the case couldn’t proceed due to Gambaryan’s declining health, which had worsened to the point where he required a wheelchair.
In February, Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, on charges of money laundering involving $35 million. Anjarwalla escaped custody on March 22, 2024, while Gambaryan was arraigned in court on April 8.
Yuki Gambaryan expressed gratitude for the support received during her husband’s detention and appreciated the time and space to focus on his recovery.
