Binance CEO calls on Nigeria to release executives with deteriorating health
Binance CEO Richard Teng has called on the Nigerian government to release U.S. executive Tigran Gambaryan, who has been detained since February. Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial crime compliance, is being held at Nigeria's famed Kuje prison on money laundering charges. He faces a money laundering trial even though the tax evasion charges have been dropped.
Mr. Teng said Mr. Gambaryan's health had deteriorated significantly and that he was now infected with malaria, double pneumonitis and tonsillitis and was unable to walk due to herniated discs. His family said Mr. Gambaryan had not received the necessary medical treatment and that prison authorities had refused to provide his medical records and had restricted access to lawyers.
Mr. Teng reiterated Binance's commitment to working with global regulators to resolve the issue and hoped that the Nigerian government would release Gambaryan as soon as possible. The case has attracted the attention of the crypto industry and US political circles, calling on the US government to intervene.