🌎 Binance Exec Spent 8 Months in Nigerian Prison

Binance Exec Tigran Gambaryan’s 8-Month Detainment in Nigeria

Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking executive at Binance, spent eight months in a Nigerian prison, where he suffered from severe health issues and was subjected to inhumane conditions. In a recent article, Gambaryan’s text messages from prison revealed the dire circumstances he faced during his detainment.

Health Issues and Harsh Conditions

Gambaryan described his condition as “essentially crippled” due to a 104-degree fever and an old spine injury that had resurfaced. He became so weak that he was bed-ridden for weeks and had to take blood thinners to prevent clots in his legs from lack of movement. The Binance executive also struggled with chronic pain, which made it difficult for him to sleep or read.

Gambaryan’s situation was further complicated by the Nigerian authorities’ constant surveillance, who were concerned that he might escape, following the footsteps of his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, who managed to flee the country.

Secret Phone and Plea for Help

Despite the harsh conditions, Gambaryan managed to acquire a secret phone, which he used to contact the outside world. In a video message, he appealed for help from the US government, stating that he had done nothing wrong and was being detained unjustly.

Hello, my name is Tigran Gambaryan, I’m the head of financial crime and compliance for Binance. I’ve been detained by the Nigerian government for a month. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me after today.

Release and Aftermath

After a series of court hearings, Gambaryan was finally released on October 23, 2024, when the Nigerian court dropped all charges against him. However, he was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine for overstaying his visa. Gambaryan has since considered rejoining government service and pursuing a human rights lawsuit against the Nigerian government for his detainment.