By Camillus Eboh and Chijioke Ohuocha
Nigeria’s government has withdrawn a money laundering case against Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan to allow him seek medical treatment abroad, the government’s lawyer has said.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and head of financial crime compliance at Binance, has been in detention in Nigeria since late February and has been charged with laundering more than $35 million. Gambaryan and Binance deny the charges.
The government’s lawyer said it would continue the money laundering case against Binance without Gambaryan.
Separate tax evasion charges against Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, remain in place. Binance has also denied those charges.
The development marks a significant turnaround in the case, as Gambaryan was denied bail under medical grounds earlier this month.
Gambaryan previously told the court that he has a herniated disk and has suffered from bouts of pneumonia, tonsillitis and malaria.
However, a judge ruled last month that the prison in which he is being held was capable of meeting his medical needs.
“We have withdrawn the money laundering charges against Tigran Gambaryan to allow him to get medical treatment outside the country,” said EFCC lawyer Ekele Ihenacho.
Ihenacho added diplomatic arrangements had also helped in securing Gambaryan’s release, without elaborating.
In August, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, said her husband’s health had deteriorated in prison to the point where “it might leave permanent damage and affect his ability to walk”. She asked for him to be freed and vowed to fight for his release.
Last week, the court adjourned Gambaryan’s trial to Friday because he could not appear in court due to illness. Lawyers said the case was brought forward to Wednesday to set him free and allow him get medical treatment outside Nigeria.
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