U.S. President Joe Biden has lauded Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu for securing the release of Tigran Gambaryan, the detained Binance executive, who returned home last week after eight months of detention. Nigerian authorities dropped money laundering charges against Gambaryan, clearing the way for his release. Confirming his exit from Kuje prison, a family spokesperson noted, “Tigran was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night.”
President Biden, in a post on X, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his role in releasing the Binance Executive , adding that he also conveyed condolences for the floods affecting Nigeria. He stated, “Earlier, I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria to express my condolences on the floods impacting his country and my appreciation for his leadership in securing the humanitarian release of Tigran Gambaryan.”
Gambaryan’s Detention and Eventual Release
The high-profile detention of Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, since February on money laundering allegations sparked an international call for action, with demands from U.S. Attorney Generals urging Biden to intervene. This appeal, grounded in the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, highlighted Gambaryan’s deteriorating health and prolonged detention. Attorney General John Formella led the call, saying, “His continued detention without cause is not only a violation of his rights but also poses a severe risk to his health and well-being.”
In response to these calls, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dropped the charges, allowing for Gambaryan’s swift release. His wife, Yuki, expressed relief, stating, “The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release, or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the U.S. government for their efforts in securing his release.”
Binance CEO Richard Teng also extended his thanks to Nigerian authorities, lauding Gambaryan’s strength throughout his detention. Teng remarked, “We are deeply relieved and grateful that Tigran Gambaryan has finally been released. His health and well-being have been our top priority. Now, he can get the medical care and rest he urgently needs.”
Teng emphasized that Binance is dedicated to compliance and collaboration with global regulators. Reflecting on the incident, he noted, “We are eager to put this episode behind us and continue working toward a brighter future for the blockchain industry around the world.”
