The Beginning of the Ordeal

The ordeal began in February when Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Kenya, traveled to Abuja to meet with Nigerian officials. The visit occurred when the country was in a financial crisis, exacerbated by the collapse of the national currency, the naira

The Nigerian government, searching for reasons behind the currency's collapse, pointed fingers at Binance, accusing it of operating without a license, facilitating the manipulation of the naira, and enabling illicit financial transactions.

**Binance has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that its operations are lawful and above board.

A Nightmare Unfolds

On the eve of their flight to Abuja, Tigran Gambaryan faced a seemingly trivial decision: bringing a small carry-on or a large suitcase.

In an interview with DL News, his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, recounted that Tigran opted for the smaller bag, anticipating a brief two-day trip. However, this trip turned into a nightmare lasting over three months. Shortly after arriving in Nigeria, officials seized Tigran's passport and placed him under guard in a "guest house."

By the fourth day, they had obtained court permission to detain him for two weeks. Approximately four weeks into his detention, Tigran's situation worsened when officials confiscated his phone and charged him with facilitating money laundering and tax evasion.

Yuki expressed her frustration with the lack of action from the US government to aid her husband, who languished in detention under what she and their lawyer described as bogus charges.

"His detention is a state-sanctioned hostage taking," his lawyer declared.

Deteriorating Conditions

After six weeks of confinement in Nigeria, Tigran was transferred to a medium-security prison, which also housed Boko Haram and Islamic State terrorists. The harsh conditions and lack of medical care took a toll on Tigran, who fainted on the first day of his trial in May, potentially due to malaria. His lawyer has called the arrest a "state-sanctioned hostage taking," highlighting the severity and injustice of his prolonged detention.

Despite a judge's order for Tigran to be transferred to a hospital, he has been denied medical care, with his trial postponed until June 20. During this time, Tigran has missed significant family milestones, including his son's fifth birthday and pre-kindergarten graduation, and he even turned 40 in prison.

Reflecting on the situation, Yuki expressed her disbelief and anguish, stating that Tigran's only misstep was attending a meeting, leading to his unjust imprisonment.

The Call for Action

His prolonged detention has caused him to miss significant family milestones and has sparked frustration over the lack of action from the US government. The Gambaryan family continues to urge more robust diplomatic efforts to secure Tigran's release.

The crypto community and human rights organizations are closely watching the developments, emphasizing the need for justice and fair treatment.

The situation underscores the risks and complexities involved in international business, especially in volatile regions. As Tigran's trial date approaches, the world will be watching, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and human rights.