Case Adjourned
Binance’s financial crime compliance head, Tigran Gambaryan, has had his tax evasion case postponed until April 19. This came after his first court appearance, where he was charged with non-payment of taxes and aiding customers in tax evasion.
Delay Due to Lack of Notice
The prosecution explained that they couldn’t serve Gambaryan the charges earlier because he was in custody with another agency. The judge decided to adjourn the case to give Gambaryan time to review the charges.
High-Stakes Hearing
The case highlights the increased scrutiny of cryptocurrency exchanges. Nigeria’s government has cracked down on digital token platforms due to concerns about tax evasion and currency speculation.
Binance’s Response
Binance has stated that Gambaryan doesn’t have decision-making authority and shouldn’t be held accountable. Discussions between Binance and Nigerian officials are ongoing.
Legal Arguments
Gambaryan’s lawyer argued that due process wasn’t followed and that he wasn’t authorized to receive charges on behalf of Binance.
Ongoing Custody
Gambaryan remains in custody with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The case is a reminder of the need for clear regulatory frameworks and adherence to due process in the cryptocurrency industry.
