The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has called for the release of Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Gambaryan has been in detention in Nigeria since February. The US envoy emphasized the importance of the issue for US diplomatic efforts and the role diplomacy plays in protecting US citizens abroad. Gambaryan, his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, and Binance have been accused of laundering over $35 million in Nigeria, with transactions via their platform contributing to the naira slump. Anjarwalla, who escaped detention earlier this year, was seized alongside Gambaryan. US diplomats, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, have sought Gambaryan’s release in private conversations with top Nigerian government officials.
They include President Bola Tinubu, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Justice and Finance Minister Wale Edun, and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun. While in detention, Mr. Gambaryan’s health has been deteriorating. His wife first reported concerns in August, stating that the worsening condition of his back’s ruptured disc could result in permanent damage and leave her husband crippled. The family reported last month that the jail doctor had informed them that the man’s muscles had atrophied and that he was bedridden and on blood thinners to prevent blood clots.
