U.S. lawmakers urge Biden to secure the release of Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan, detained in Nigeria for over three months.
U.S. lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden and other senior officials to take immediate action to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a former federal agent and executive at Binance. Additionally, they think that Gambaryan has been unlawfully detained in Nigeria for more than three months.
These policymakers wrote to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens in a letter dated June 4, 2024.
The health and treatment of the Binance executive in Nigerian custody have been the subject of considerable concern for a number of House members, including Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul of the House Foreign GOP.
Gambaryan, a distinguished former IRS agent and U.S. citizen, has been in custody since February 26. He was in Nigeria at the time to attend high-level meetings regarding Binance’s compliance issues.
Gambaryan’s detention by Nigerian authorities ensued after the meetings, which were initially professional, deteriorated into hostility. “Mr. Gambaryan was kidnapped by the Nigerian government,” the legislators stated.
Furthermore, they described the forcible transfer of Binance’s Gambaryan to a government-owned residence, where he was detained without communication for five days.
Furthermore, Gambaryan’s detention persisted unlawfully until new charges were filed, despite a court order on March 12 that indicated that the remand order had not been extended. The action was purportedly taken in lieu of pursuing legal action against Binance.
Therefore, the letter underscores that Gambaryan “is being tried in lieu of pursuing legal action against his employer.”
Furthermore, Gambaryan’s confinement has been exceedingly harsh. He is incarcerated in Kuje Prison, which is renowned for its inhumane conditions, and has encountered challenges in arranging meetings with his legal team without government oversight. Furthermore, his condition has undergone an immense decline.
“He tested positive for malaria, and the prison officials denied his request for hospital treatment,” the letter reads. Binance’s Gambaryan collapsed in court on May 23, which prompted a magistrate to order his transfer to a private hospital. Nevertheless, as of June 4, there has been a lack of sufficient healthcare.
The legislators maintain that Gambaryan’s detention satisfies the criteria for being “wrongfully detained by a foreign government,” as defined in the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.
They urgently request that his case be transferred to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. In addition, they underscored the necessity of quick action to guarantee the safety of the Binance executive.
“We are concerned about Mr. Gambaryan’s life, as his health and well-being are at risk.” The letter emphasizes the necessity of immediate action to guarantee his safety and preserve his life. Nevertheless, Nigeria has declined to comply, despite the United States’ efforts, which could exacerbate the situation.
