Binance CEO’s Mother Urges US Government to Seek His Release
Date: 2024-09-19 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: IN WORLD
The mother of Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance CEO detained in Nigeria since February, is calling on the US government to stop holding him there.
In a September 18 interview with California-based news outlet KMPH Fox 26, Knarik Gambaryan, 75, called on US authorities to take action to free her son from Nigeria, claiming he was “illegally detained” and citing his deteriorating health. On September 3, a video surfaced on social media showing the Binance CEO’s physical condition for the first time since he was detained by authorities, barely able to walk around the courthouse.
“He’s an ordinary US citizen,” Knarik Gambaryan said. “The US government should take care of its citizens. He’s not a criminal.”
Gambaryan’s mother lives in Fresno, California, where she moved with her son from Armenia when he was in high school. He spent a decade as a special agent for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service before joining Binance in 2021, becoming the head of the cryptocurrency exchange’s financial crimes unit.
Since Gambaryan’s arrest by Nigerian authorities in February, many U.S. lawmakers and crypto industry leaders have called for his immediate release, arguing that he was unfairly detained. Arkansas Rep. French Hill visited Gambaryan in prison in June, and Rep. Rich McCormack petitioned Congress to treat the Binance executive as if he were being held “hostage” in Nigeria.
Criminal Charges
Gambaryan and fellow Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla arrived in Nigeria in February to represent the exchange in negotiations with authorities. Both were arrested and charged with tax evasion and money laundering.
Anjarwalla escaped custody in March and reportedly fled to Kenya, but is expected to be extradited to face charges. Nigerian tax authorities later dropped the tax evasion charges, but the country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) case on money laundering charges is still ongoing.
A representative for Gambarian’s family and reports from Nigeria indicate that the Binance executive’s health has worsened since his arrest. The family has reported cases of pneumonia and malaria, as well as a hernia that may require surgery.
As of September 4, Gambarian is expected to appear in court again on October 9 for a bail hearing. It is not yet known whether his lawyers will be able to secure his release from prison or permission to leave Nigeria.
