The Digital Chamber (TDC) has expressed satisfaction over the release of Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan from a Nigerian prison, labeling his detention as a "breach of international law." The statement was shared in an October 24 post on X.
"After 240 days in detention, we are thrilled to celebrate the release of Tigran Gambaryan and applaud the dropped charges that have brought this distressing chapter to a close," said Digital Chamber. "The unwavering fight for his freedom stemmed from the shocking circumstances of his detention, which we previously highlighted as a grave breach of international law. We celebrate Tigran's release and urge his swift return home. We extend our deepest thanks to those in the U.S. government, along with international and industry leaders, whose relentless advocacy and steadfast commitment to justice were instrumental throughout this challenging time."
According to CoinDesk, Gambaryan had been invited by Nigerian government officials to Abuja in February for compliance discussions. However, he was accused by Nigerian authorities of devaluing the naira and subsequently placed under house arrest. He faced charges of financial crimes and was transferred to Kuje prison, where his health reportedly deteriorated significantly. In May, he contracted malaria and collapsed in court; by June, he appeared in court in a wheelchair due to an untreated herniated disc.
Following months of diplomatic efforts and international pressure, the Nigerian government dropped the charges against Gambaryan. On October 24, he returned to the United States on a plane equipped with medical supplies. His imprisonment had strained U.S.-Nigeria relations, but his release has prompted promises from the U.S. to strengthen its partnership with Nigeria.
In a March 15 statement on its website, TDC described Gambaryan's detention as "a distressing breach of international law," adding that it appeared to be "a state-sponsored kidnapping." The organization noted that Gambaryan had been invited to Nigeria "under false pretenses" and warned that such incidents set a dangerous precedent for American businessmen abroad, particularly those in the cryptocurrency sector.
Gambaryan joined Binance in September 2021 after a decade-long career as a special agent for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). During his tenure at the IRS, he investigated cases involving national security, terrorism financing, identity theft, distribution of child pornography, tax evasion, and bank secrecy act violations. He also led several high-profile cyber investigations including those related to Silk Road corruption investigations, BTC-e bitcoin exchange, and the Mt. Gox hack.
TDC is known for advocating pro-innovation policies within the digital asset and blockchain industries. Its members include crypto exchanges, banks, consulting firms, and law firms.