Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance employee detained by Nigerian authorities, is a stringent law enforcement professional with no decision-making authority, according to the crypto exchange. Through his Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) team, Gambaryan has responded to more than 600 information requests from Nigerian authorities.
Gambaryan Hired to Assist Binance with Past Compliance Issues
Tigran Gambaryan, an employee of Binance who has been detained by Nigerian authorities for more than a month, is a “strict law enforcement professional” who is not part of management,” the crypto exchange said. Binance also states that Gambaryan does not have decision-making power and should therefore be released, even as discussions between Binance and the Nigerian government continue.
In its first statement directly addressing the situation of the detained employee, Binance said Gambaryan, a U.S. federal agent, was hired to help the crypto exchange address past compliance issues. As head of Binance’s Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) team, Gambaryan played a key role in pushing the crypto exchange to develop policies and build compliance capabilities.
As previously reported by Bitcoin.com News, Gambaryan was detained by Nigerian law enforcement shortly after arriving in the country. Gambaryan and fellow Binance employee Nadeem Anjarwalla, who has since left the country, have been held at a “guesthouse” in Abuja. Several organizations, including the Digital Chamber of Commerce, have called for Gambaryan’s release.
Binance’s Cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies
Meanwhile, in its statement, which also calls for Gambaryan’s release from detention, Binance highlighted the milestones achieved by Gambaryan’s team since he joined. The crypto exchange also acknowledged the impact of the team’s cooperation with global law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Focusing on the FCC’s specific achievements in collaboration with the Nigerian authorities, Binance stated:
In the past several years, he, along with his FCC team, responded to more than 600 information requests coming from Nigerian law enforcement agencies or related to investigations pertinent to Nigeria. The information provided helped tackle crimes ranging from scams and fraud to money laundering, blackmail, kidnapping, and extortion, leading to multiple asset freezes and seizures, totaling more than USD 400,000.
In addition to freezing illicit digital funds, Gambaryan’s team is also recognized for providing Nigerian crime fighters with the necessary skills to address the increasing number of crypto-related financial crimes.
Source: Bitcoin
