Nigerian authorities have dismissed certain accusations against Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who remains detained, a family representative confirmed on June 14.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has withdrawn tax evasion charges against Gambaryan and fellow Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla. However, the duo still faces allegations of money laundering from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with the case set to continue on June 20.

A spokesperson for the Gambaryan family labeled the remaining accusations as “groundless,” arguing that the dismissal of tax charges by FIRS demonstrates the initial charges were unfounded. Binance also released a statement, praising FIRS for its “meticulousness and integrity.” Representatives from the exchange emphasized that dropping the charges underscores that “Tigran is not a policy-maker at Binance and does not need to be detained for Binance to address issues with the Nigerian government.” They concluded, “We anticipate the court’s full exoneration of Tigran in this matter.”

Ongoing Legal Battle for Binance Executives

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were apprehended by Nigerian officials in February on allegations of money laundering and tax evasion in association with Binance, even though the company had agreed to exit the African market.

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In a dramatic turn of events in March, Anjarwalla fled Nigerian custody, allegedly using his Kenyan passport to escape to his home country. He was later apprehended in Kenya and now faces extradition back to Nigeria.

International Support and Advocacy

In a show of solidarity, U.S. lawmakers recently addressed a letter to the State Department and presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Roger D. Carstens, highlighting Gambaryan’s detention. They described him as being “unjustly imprisoned.”

Following this, former federal prosecutors echoed these concerns in a letter to the State Department, signed by 108 ex-prosecutors, urging action for Gambaryan’s release.