Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who was detained in Nigeria for eight months on money laundering charges, has been released and has left the country. A spokesperson for his family confirmed to CoinDesk that he was freed from Kuje prison and has since departed Nigeria. According to a lawyer on Gambaryan's legal team, 'he is currently en route' to his destination. Gambaryan's health had significantly deteriorated during his imprisonment, with his bail applications being denied.
However, he was granted permission to travel abroad for medical attention. A prosecutor for the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stated in court that the government had decided to drop the case against Gambaryan due to his employment with Binance and 'critical international and diplomatic reasons.' Gambaryan's wife, Yuki, expressed her relief at his release, describing the past eight months as 'a living nightmare.' She also thanked the US government for their efforts in securing his release. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that Gambaryan was released on humanitarian grounds and is headed to the US to receive medical care.
During his imprisonment, Gambaryan contracted malaria, pneumonia, and tonsillitis, and suffered complications that left him requiring a wheelchair. Binance CEO Richard Teng expressed his relief and gratitude at Gambaryan's release, stating that the company is 'deeply relieved and grateful' that he has been freed after nearly eight months of detention.
Binance still faces two ongoing trials in Nigeria, one related to money laundering and the other to tax evasion.