Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has been officially released from detainment by the Nigerian government and out of the West African nation after nearly eight months behind bars at Kuje prison, CoinDesk reported on Thursday.
Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Has Left Kuje Prison
According to a family spokesperson who spoke with the crypto media outlet, Gambaryan was formally allowed to leave the Abuja prison facility on the night of the 23 October and has since left the country altogether.
We are deeply relieved and grateful that Tigran Gambaryan has finally been released after enduring nearly eight months of detention in Nigeria. Throughout this difficult period, Tigran has shown immense strength, and we commend his resilience in the face of such severe adversity.…
— Richard Teng (@_RichardTeng) October 24, 2024
A lawyer for the Binance compliance chief further told the outlet that Gambaryan is “in the air,” though it is not immediately clear where to.
“We are deeply relieved and grateful that Tigran Gambaryan has finally been released after enduring nearly eight months of detention in Nigeria,” Binance CEO Richard Teng said Thursday morning. “Throughout this difficult period, Tigran has shown immense strength, and we commend his resilience in the face of such severe adversity. We are deeply thankful to everyone who dedicated countless hours to support Tigran’s release.”
Binance Still Facing Charges From Nigerian Government
Gambaryan, who was originally detained by authorities after traveling to the African country for a set of digital asset policy talks back in February, has suffered numerous health issues since his sudden imprisonment.
When U.S. lawmakers French Hill (R-AR) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) visited Gambaryan in Nigeria this past June, they found that he had been suffering from both malaria and double pneumonia while having lost significant weight in the process.
Meanwhile, footage from a September 2024 court hearing shows Gambaryan visibly in pain and struggling to walk due to a herniated disc after reportedly being denied access to a wheelchair.
The Binance employee’s health, alongside his lack of decision-making power at the crypto exchange, were reportedly big factors in the Nigerian government’s decision to drop the charges against him.
“Fantastic to see the Nigerian gov drop the charges against Tigran Gambaryan,” Hill said. “It’s well past time he return home safely to America and his family and immediately receive any necessary medical treatment that he needs.”
“It is a huge relief that this day has finally come,” his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, said in a statement. “The past eight months have been a nightmare.”
Though Nigeria has since dropped Gambaryan’s charges, Binance itself is still facing money laundering and tax evasion charges.
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