A group of American lawmakers have reached out to President Joe Biden and the hostage affairs unit to intervene in the case of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance employee who has been detained in Nigeria for more than three months on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
In a letter dated June 4, addressed to President Biden, Secretary Antony Blinken, and Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, a dozen U.S. politicians emphasized that Gambaryan is being held unjustly by the Nigerian government, urging immediate action before the situation escalates.
Specifically, the lawmakers are calling for the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to take charge of Gambaryan’s case, as revealed in the letter shared by Congressman Michael McCaul.
The letter highlighted that the charges against Gambaryan are unfounded, suggesting that they are a ploy by Nigerian authorities to pressure Binance. McCaul emphasized the importance of Gambaryan’s release, stating that he is innocent and should be reunited with his family.
Gambaryan, who serves as the head of financial crime compliance at the cryptocurrency exchange, traveled to Nigeria at the invitation of the government to address compliance issues. However, after what started as professional meetings turned hostile, he was detained by Nigerian authorities.
Currently held in the notorious Kuje Prison, known for its harsh conditions, Gambaryan is fighting for his life in a cell designed for ISIS combatants, according to the U.S. politicians. Despite testing positive for malaria, he has not received the medical attention ordered by the court.
Denied bail on May 18, Gambaryan failed to appear in court on May 22, causing concern for his well-being. When he eventually appeared, his health had deteriorated significantly, the lawmakers noted. They also raised concerns about his limited access to legal counsel, being constantly monitored by Nigerian authorities and armed guards.
Prior to joining Binance, Gambaryan had a decade-long career as a federal agent at the Internal Revenue Service.