Binance CEO Richard Teng has publicly called on the Nigerian government to release Tigran Gambaryan, head of the crypto exchange's Financial Crime Compliance team.
Gambaryan has been detained by Nigerian authorities for more than 70 days following his visit to the country in February for talks on regulatory oversight.
In a blog post addressing the situation, Teng emphasized the importance of Gambaryan's release, saying, “As you know, one of our beloved colleagues, Tigran Gambaryan, continues to be held by the government in Nigeria for more than 70 days.”
Expressing his concerns about the consequences of Gambaryan's detention, Gambaryan described this situation as “a new and dangerous precedent for all companies around the world.”
Gambaryan's detention follows a similar incident in February, when Binance's Africa Regional Manager, Nadeem Anjarwalla, was also detained. Anjarwalla made headlines in March after he managed to escape from custody.
Teng's public appeal underscores the seriousness of the situation and underlines Binance's determination to defend the rights of its employees.
Exchange executives are calling on Nigerian authorities to prioritize Gambaryan's release and ensure the matter is resolved fairly.
As the crypto industry continues to overcome regulatory challenges globally, incidents such as these underscore the importance of open and transparent regulatory frameworks that protect the rights of individuals and promote a conducive environment for commercial activities.
*This is not investment advice.
