In a plea to US President Joe Biden, twelve U.S. politicians have called for immediate action to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance compliance officer, who has been detained in Nigeria for over three months.
The politicians assert that the charges against Gambaryan, including money laundering and tax evasion, are unfounded and part of an extortion attempt by Nigerian authorities.
In a letter dated June 4, addressed to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, the politicians emphasized the urgency of the situation.
They fear for Gambaryan’s life due to his deteriorating health and the harsh conditions of Kuje Prison, where he is being held.
Gambaryan travelled to Nigeria on February 26 at the invitation of the Nigerian government to discuss Binance’s compliance issues.
Following two meetings, which began professionally but turned hostile, he was detained by Nigerian authorities.
The U.S. politicians revealed that Gambaryan has since contracted malaria, and despite a court order for private medical treatment, he remains untreated.
They also noted that he has been denied proper legal access and was observed in a severely weakened state during a recent court appearance.
The letter calls on the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to prioritize Gambaryan’s case to ensure his safety and swift return to the United States.
Gambaryan, who previously worked as a federal agent with the IRS, is seen as being wrongfully detained, and U.S. politicians are urging immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration of his condition.
