US Lawmakers Call for Immediate Action to Bring Back Binance Executive from Nigerian Imprisonment
US Lawmakers Call for Immediate Action to Bring Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Back from Nigerian Imprisonment
The ongoing saga between crypto exchange Binance and the Nigerian government has taken a new turn as 16 US congress members have penned a letter to President Biden urging for the safe return of Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan.
Gambaryan, a former US federal agent, has been detained in Nigeria for the past three months, with concerns rising about his health and well-being. The lawmakers expressed worry about the executive’s condition and emphasized the need for immediate action to bring him back to the US.
Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan on February 26, along with his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, who managed to escape. Since then, Gambaryan has been held in custody without access to his passport, under restricted communication with his legal team and family.
The letter to President Biden highlighted the alleged baseless charges against Gambaryan, stating that they are a coercion tactic by the Nigerian government to extort Binance. The lawmakers also pointed out that the Nigerian authorities have admitted to using Gambaryan as a bargaining chip against the crypto exchange.
Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, has condemned the Nigerian government’s actions, calling it a dangerous precedent for companies worldwide. Teng emphasized the need to protect mid-level employees from such crackdowns.
The US lawmakers underscored Gambaryan’s impressive background as a federal agent and raised concerns about his deteriorating health in Nigerian custody. They highlighted the irony of his legacy being praised by the US government while he fights for his life in a prison cell.
Gambaryan’s recent health episode during a court hearing on May 23, where he collapsed and required medical assistance, has raised alarms among the congress members. It was revealed that he tested positive for malaria and has been denied adequate medical treatment by prison officers.
The lawmakers have called for Gambaryan’s case to be transferred to the Office of the Special President Envoy for Hostages Affairs and urged the US government to intervene before it’s too late. They fear for the executive’s life and emphasize the need for immediate action to ensure his safety and well-being.
