Yuki Gambaryan, the wife of detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, recently shared the emotional toll of her husband's imprisonment on their children. In a heart-wrenching moment, her son spotted an airplane and asked if his father was on it. Yuki spoke about the difficulties of shielding her kids from the harsh reality of their father's situation, who has been detained in Nigeria since February.
Tigran's health has been declining, with him suffering from malaria and a herniated disc, forcing him to use a crutch to walk. As a former investigator with the Internal Revenue Service, Tigran's background has potentially contributed to the complexities of the case, which involves Nigeria, Binance, and the US. US Rep. Rich McCormick alleged that Nigeria is using Tigran as leverage to settle a dispute with Binance, and that the US should take his detention seriously.
McCormick argued that all options should be considered to secure Tigran's release, given the significant influence the US has over Nigeria. Tigran faces money laundering charges, while Binance is embroiled in a tax evasion trial in Nigeria, with the country seeking $10 billion in penalties. The situation has sparked concerns that Tigran is being held hostage to coerce Binance into complying with Nigeria's demands.
His wife, Yuki, emphasized that Nigeria can pursue legal actions against Binance without needing to detain her husband, who had previously narrowly avoided detention during a trip to Nigeria in January. The Nigerian authorities have not responded to requests for comment on the matter.