Arkansas Republican Rep. French Hill has kickstarted a concerted effort by members of Congress to urge the Biden administration to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, an American crypto executive detained in Nigeria.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and former IRS agent, has been imprisoned for nearly four months on what Hill describes as “trumped-up” charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
Gambaryan, who flew to Nigeria in February for a meeting with government officials on behalf of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, where he serves as a compliance officer, remains in custody despite the dropping of tax evasion charges earlier this month.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is still charging him with money laundering.
Rep. Hill, the vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, plans to seek advice from Roger Carstens, the State Department’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, on how to handle Gambaryan’s case.
Hill also intends to consult with Gambaryan’s lawyers and family, as well as Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia, Gambaryan’s home state.
“Tigran is a pawn in a Nigerian political fight. He needs to be brought home to America where he belongs and Binance can deal with the Nigerians,” Hill told Fox Business.
Nigeria’s economic crisis, partly due to massive inflation devaluing its currency, the naira, has been exacerbated by the government’s blame on Binance for undermining the naira by allowing Nigerians to buy stablecoins backed by the U.S. dollar.
Hill’s latest push follows a visit he made to Gambaryan at Kuje prison near Abuja last week with Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat.
Hill described Gambaryan as “frail, fragile, emotionally drained and very weak,” noting that Gambaryan had lost significant weight and was not receiving adequate medical care.
The worsening health conditions of Gambaryan have prompted a coordinated campaign from lawmakers and government officials.
Hill was one of 16 members of Congress to send a letter to the White House and the State Department urging action to secure Gambaryan’s release. Over 100 former Justice Department prosecutors and federal agents also signed a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
A spokesperson for the State Department stated earlier this month that they are in regular communication with Gambaryan, his family, and his lawyers and are providing all “appropriate assistance.”
However, Gambaryan’s family disputes this, claiming their only contact with American officials has been from U.S. Embassy staff.
“There must be a way to end this nightmare in a cordial manner,” Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, said in a statement.
“I believe that with the right intervention from the U.S. government, a swift resolution can be achieved for all parties involved,” she added.
Lawmakers express concern that Nigeria’s detention of Gambaryan could set a dangerous precedent, potentially affecting international commerce.
Former Republican Florida Rep. Connie Mack IV remarked, “This idea that if a government has a problem with a business, they can just round up their employees and detain them is not one that should be encouraged.”