Despite Nigeria’s tax authority dropping charges against two Binance executives in June, the pair still face trial over money laundering allegations.
Prosecutors in Nigeria are moving forward with the case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained since February.
A family spokesperson stated that Gambaryan’s legal team began and concluded its cross-examination of an EFCC witness on July 2. The EFCC has charged Gambaryan and Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped custody in March and reportedly fled to Kenya, with money laundering.
Nigerian officials plan to resume Gambaryan’s trial on July 5. However, his family reports that his health has deteriorated significantly during the 128 days of his detention. Gambaryan has reportedly suffered from double pneumonia and malaria, along with aches and pains in his foot and back.
U.S. Government Response
In a statement, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, mentioned that she had not been in contact with the Nigerian government but had communicated with officials from the U.S. State Department and U.S. Embassy in Abuja. She also reported regular calls with Binance staff and her husband’s legal team.
“I thought the U.S. Government response was quite slow at first, especially considering that Tigran used to work for the U.S. Government,” said Yuki. “However, I believe they have noticeably increased their efforts and engagement recently […] In my eyes, it is evident any issues between Binance and the Nigerian authorities can and should be resolved without Tigran being caught in the middle.”
Nigerian authorities initially charged Gambaryan and Anjarwalla with tax evasion and money laundering in February after the pair traveled to the country as representatives of Binance. Anjarwalla escaped to Kenya in March and reportedly faces extradition back to Nigeria. In June, Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service dropped the tax evasion charges, but the money laundering case remains ongoing.
Summary Review: The trial of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan is set to resume on July 5, with his family expressing serious concerns about his health following months of detention. Despite the Nigerian tax authority dropping tax evasion charges, the money laundering case against Gambaryan and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, who remains at large, continues. Gambaryan’s family and legal team are in communication with U.S. officials, seeking to resolve the situation. The case highlights ongoing tensions between Binance and Nigerian authorities, emphasizing the need for a resolution that does not further compromise individual well-being.
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