US Lawmakers Call for Immediate Release of Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan

Two United States congressmen, Reps. French Hill and Rich McCormick, have taken action regarding the detention of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria. They submitted a motion to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, urging the US government to declare Gambaryan’s detention a hostage situation due to his deteriorating health in Nigeria’s Kuje prison.

Gambaryan, a US citizen and former IRS agent, was detained by Nigerian authorities earlier this year along with another Binance official. The Nigerian government had sued Binance for alleged tax evasion and money laundering violations, demanding a hefty penalty. While the tax evasion charges were withdrawn in June, the money laundering charges remain.

Hill and McCormick highlighted Gambaryan’s service to the US during his time with the IRS, where he played a crucial role in resolving criminal cases and seizing illicit funds. They fear for his health and well-being in detention, especially after reports of him suffering from malaria, double pneumonia, and significant weight loss without adequate medical care.

The congressmen visited Gambaryan in Kuje prison and witnessed his poor health condition firsthand. They are pushing for his immediate release, emphasizing the urgency of the situation to prevent further deterioration of his health. Despite efforts to secure his release, Nigerian authorities have been adamant about keeping him detained, even seizing his travel documents.

The resolution introduced by Hill and McCormick calls for the Nigerian government to release Gambaryan and for the US government to intervene on his behalf. The case has garnered attention due to the potential risks to Gambaryan’s health and the implications for US-Nigeria relations. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.