Nigerian officials have dropped some of the charges against detained Tigran Gambaryan, a family spokesperson announced on June 14.
Gambaryan and Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla were both exonerated of tax allegations by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Nevertheless, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria continues to investigate the duo for money laundering charges. The case is scheduled to reopen on June 20.
The Gambaryan family’s spokespersons denounced the charges as “bogus” and cited the dismissal of the tax charges from FIRS as evidence that the duo should never have been charged in the first place.
Gambaryan’s health was the primary focus of the most recent update, as the Binance executive was alleged to have collapsed in court with malaria on May 23. According to representatives of Gambaryan’s family, his condition has worsened since the incident, and he is currently experiencing pneumonia. The statement also claimed that penitentiary authorities are unwilling to disclose the executive’s welfare information.
“Despite a court order by Justice Emeka Nwite to take Tigran to [the] hospital immediately, it took the prison authorities 11 days to take him for a brief check-up. The prison is not allowing the results of this check-up at the hospital to be released to his family, lawyers nor the U.S. embassy as they have named a person from the prison as his next of kin.”
There are charges in Nigeria. In February, Nigerian authorities apprehended Binance executives Gambaryan and Anjarwalla on money laundering and tax evasion charges, despite the company’s agreement to depart the African nation.
Anjarwalla reportedly used his Kenyan passport to depart Nigeria in March, evading custody. Subsequently, Anjarwalla was apprehended in Kenya, where he is currently awaiting extradition to Nigeria.
The State Department and presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Roger D. Carstens, was recently addressed by lawmakers in the United States in a letter that drew attention to the imprisonment of Gambaryan, a former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent. The letter asserted that Gambaryan had been “wrongfully detained.”
Following that letter, 108 former federal prosecutors signed a letter to the State Department on June 6, reiterating the American legislators’ calls to secure Gambaryan’s release. Below is a statement from Binance spokesperson:
“We are relieved that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have served and filed amended charges today, resulting in tax charges against Tigran Gambaryan being dropped, further illustrating that Tigran is not a decision-maker at Binance and does not need to be held in order for Binance to resolve issues with the Nigerian government.
We await the court’s ruling on this, discharging Tigran from this matter completely.We commend the FIRS for their diligence and professionalism throughout this process. This situation unequivocally demonstrates Binance’s commitment to resolving this issue with the government transparently and cooperatively. In order for Tigran to be allowed to go home to his family, we are hopeful that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will take similar steps.
Tigran has been detained for 110 days, and his physical health is deteriorating, including a recent malaria and pneumonia diagnosis. Binance is committed to continuing to work with the Nigerian government to resolve this.”
