Former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief of Investigations, Richard Weber, has raised concerns about the harsh conditions Tigran Gambaryan, a Nigerian Binance executive, is enduring during his detention in Nigeria.
In an October 3 episode of the podcast Illicit Edge’s “Designated”, Weber described Gambaryan’s imprisonment at Kuje prison as inhumane, highlighting that the crypto compliance chief is held alongside dangerous criminals, including terrorists.
Tigran Gambaryan Is a Hostage, Weber Asserts
Weber explained: “Kuje prison holds some of the worst criminals, including terrorists, and here we have a former law enforcement official and public servant, who, while working as a mid-level employee at a crypto company, gets arrested and placed in such a facility.” He urged the U.S. government to secure Gambaryan’s release to his wife, Yuki, and their two children in California.
Weber added, “Tigran is a hostage. He has committed no crime. He’s been imprisoned for over 200 days – nearly eight months – and nobody seems to know what he did wrong, not even the Nigerian government.”
Gambaryan was arrested in February 2024 after traveling to Nigeria for policy discussions on digital assets. Prior to the trip, he was reportedly assured safe passage in and out of the country. His subsequent detention on charges of tax evasion and money laundering has led many in the crypto community to question the validity of the charges. U.S. lawmaker French Hill (R-AR) referred to Gambaryan as a “pawn in a Nigerian political battle.”
Wife of Detained Binance Executive Speaks Out
Since his imprisonment, Gambaryan’s health has drastically declined, as he has suffered from malaria, double pneumonia, and complications from a herniated disc. In footage from a September court hearing in Abuja, Gambaryan struggled to walk and expressed his frustrations, saying, “I’m not okay… I’m innocent—why are you doing this to me?”
Weber’s statements come after Yuki Gambaryan spoke out in a previous episode of the podcast, advocating for her husband’s release. “What Tigran is enduring is a complete injustice. It’s becoming harder to remain hopeful,” she said.
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