TechFlow news — The U.S. government is urging Nigeria to release Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance employee arrested in February, according to The New York Times. Two senior U.S. State Department officials said the case has become a significant factor affecting U.S.-Nigeria diplomatic relations. Secretary of State Blinken discussed the matter with Nigeria's foreign minister in May, and U.S. diplomats, including the ambassador to Nigeria, have repeatedly called for Gambaryan’s release. U.S. officials emphasized that the 40-year-old Gambaryan, suffering from malaria and herniated discs in prison, has not received adequate medical treatment and should be released on humanitarian grounds.
Gambaryan, formerly a law enforcement officer, was arrested upon arriving in Nigeria in February to discuss Binance's operations with local officials. Nigerian authorities accused Binance of enabling users to move naira out of the country, contributing to currency collapse, and charged Gambaryan and Binance with tax evasion and money laundering. Tax-related charges have since been dropped, while other charges remain ongoing.
