US Govt Flies Out Binance Executive from Nigeria in Medically Equipped Aircraft

The United States government have successfully evacuated Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance Holdings Limited executive, from Nigeria using a medically equipped aircraft.

This action followed the Nigerian government's decision to drop money laundering charges against Gambaryan, which had been filed earlier in the year. The charges were withdrawn on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, due to Gambaryan's health concerns and diplomatic interventions.

Gambaryan, who served as Binance's head of financial crime compliance, had been detained since February during a business trip to Nigeria. He was held at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja from April until his release.

The U.S. National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, noted that Gambaryan’s release was facilitated by "less confrontational" discussions between Nigerian and U.S. officials, as reported by The New York Times.

The evacuation involved a plane outfitted with medical equipment departing from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to ensure Gambaryan received necessary medical attention upon his return to the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that Gambaryan’s release signified the strong partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria, emphasizing their shared commitment to addressing mutual concerns and prioritizing citizen safety.