Tigran Gambaryan, a prominent cybersecurity expert and executive at the crypto firm Binance, remains detained in a Nigerian prison under dubious charges. His continued detention has caused significant concern for his family, particularly his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, who describes their situation as one of immense frustration and fear.
Gambaryan, a former IRS special agent renowned for his role in tracking down terrorists and cyber criminals, traveled to Nigeria in February to represent Binance in negotiations with global governments. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly, with Nigerian authorities arresting him and another executive on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. This arrest followed a severe depreciation of Nigeria’s currency, which the government blamed on Binance despite economists attributing it to economic mismanagement. In March, it was reported that Nigerian authorities were demanding $10 billion from Binance.
While in detention, Gambaryan has fallen seriously ill, suffering from severe malaria and has been left immobile. His wife reports that he has been denied necessary medical care and legal access. She describes the situation as a human rights violation.
Gambaryan is well-regarded in the cybersecurity field for his contributions to public safety and has been featured in discussions about the “dark web.” Support from the industry, including rival executives, has been significant. However, the U.S. State Department has yet to officially designate Gambaryan as “wrongfully detained,” a status that could trigger increased diplomatic efforts and support under the Levinson Act.
A State Department spokesperson stated that they are reviewing Gambaryan’s case, but there has been no formal designation yet. Some suggest that the hesitation may be due to Nigeria’s status as a U.S. ally.
Yuki Gambaryan, who is also managing a “Bring Tigran home” campaign, remains hopeful but continues to face challenges in securing her husband’s release. She struggles with explaining the situation to their children, who frequently ask about their father’s return.
“I am begging the Nigerian authorities to let him go home,” Yuki Gambaryan pleads.