TLDR
- Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan went from crypto crime fighter to detainee in Nigeria
- Faced life-threatening health issues including malaria and partial paralysis during detention
- Relied on secret phones to maintain contact with family and outside world
- Released after high-level U.S. diplomatic pressure in October 2024
- Now pursuing legal action while considering return to government service
When Tigran Gambaryan boarded his flight to Nigeria in February 2024, he carried the confidence of someone who had spent years taking down major cryptocurrency criminals. As Binance’s head of financial crime compliance and a former IRS agent, he thought he was ready for anything. He was wrong.
The trip started as a routine visit to address cryptocurrency compliance issues with Nigerian authorities. Within days, it turned into a nightmare that would last eight months, testing every limit of his physical and mental endurance.
Nigerian officials held Gambaryan and his Binance colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla in a government compound, demanding the cryptocurrency exchange hand over user data and modify its trading features. The officials blamed Binance for contributing to the decline of Nigeria’s currency, the naira.
Life in detention began in a government guesthouse under guard. While restrictive, it offered basic comforts. That changed dramatically when Anjarwalla made a daring escape during a mosque visit, using a second passport officials hadn’t discovered. The response was swift and harsh – Gambaryan found himself moved to solitary confinement in a windowless cell.
“It was just torture,” Gambaryan later described his time in the cell at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission facility. “The room crawled with cockroaches, and there was this fan that never stopped – I can still hear it in my head.”
His health deteriorated rapidly after transfer to Kuje Prison. A bout with malaria brought a 104-degree fever. Prison officials delayed court-ordered medical care. Then came the partial paralysis from a herniated disc, leaving him barely able to walk. Video footage showing him struggling on crutches while guards were ordered not to help went viral on social media.
Through secret phones obtained in prison, Gambaryan maintained a lifeline to the outside world. He spoke with his daughter while she played video games, trying to keep some connection to normal life. In text messages revealed later, he described sleepless nights consumed by pain: “I try to put on a face for Yuki and the kids, but it’s bad. I am in a dark place.”
Back home, an unlikely coalition formed to fight for his release. Former congressman Connie Mack worked with current legislators. His old law enforcement colleagues rallied support. More than 100 former federal agents and prosecutors demanded State Department action. The pressure built until it reached the highest levels – with President Biden personally discussing the case with Nigeria’s president.
Freedom finally came in October 2024. After prosecutors dropped all charges citing health concerns, Gambaryan boarded a medical evacuation flight home. But first, in a final twist of bureaucratic cruelty, officials demanded he pay a $2,000 fine for overstaying his visa.
Today, Gambaryan is pushing back through legal channels, pursuing a human rights lawsuit against the Nigerian government. While considering a return to federal service in cryptocurrency regulation, he remains focused on accountability for his treatment.
“I guess it did make me angrier,” he reflected after his return. “It made me want to get vengeance against those that did this.” Yet he maintains a clear distinction between anger and his lifelong mission: “I wanted justice. And I still do.”
The Nigerian government has not responded to requests for comment about Gambaryan’s detention. Meanwhile, Binance continues to face investigation in Nigeria, though the company expresses hope for improving relations with the country.
Gambaryan’s ordeal underscores the volatile intersection of cryptocurrency regulation and international relations. What began as a routine compliance meeting evolved into a diplomatic crisis requiring presidential intervention – and left an indelible mark on a man who had spent his career fighting cryptocurrency crime, only to find himself caught in the crossfire of a global regulatory battle.
Stay Ahead of the Market with Benzinga Pro!
Want to trade like a pro? Benzinga Pro gives you the edge you need in today's fast-paced markets. Get real-time news, exclusive insights, and powerful tools trusted by professional traders:
- Breaking market-moving stories before they hit mainstream media
- Live audio squawk for hands-free market updates
- Advanced stock scanner to spot promising trades
- Expert trade ideas and on-demand support
