U.S. Urges Action for Unlawfully Detained Binance Executive in Nigeria

In a pivotal move, U.S. lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to intervene in the case of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive held in Nigeria. This request, articulated through a letter dated June 4, 2024, underscores the severity of Gambaryan’s plight, who has faced over three months of unlawful detention.

Gambaryan, a seasoned former IRS agent, ventured to Nigeria for crucial discussions regarding Binance's compliance frameworks. However, what began as professional dialogues escalated into his detention, initiated by Nigerian authorities on February 26.

This development followed meetings that unexpectedly turned adversarial, culminating in his forced isolation in a government property, devoid of external communication for five days.

Despite a judicial directive on March 12, which highlighted that no extension to Gambaryan’s remand order was granted, his detention persisted under new allegations, supposedly as a proxy to legal actions against Binance itself. The detention conditions have been far from standard; Gambaryan is confined in Kuje Prison, known for its stringent conditions, and has struggled to access his legal team freely.

The health of the U.S. citizen has notably worsened during his imprisonment. He tested positive for malaria, and his requests for hospital treatment were denied by prison authorities. This neglect was evident when Gambaryan collapsed in court on May 23, prompting a judicial order for his transfer to a private hospital – a directive that remains unfulfilled as of the latest updates.

The legislators have strongly advocated for Gambaryan’s case to be escalated to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, citing the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. They argue that his detention aligns with the criteria of being wrongfully detained by a foreign government. The urgency of their plea is compounded by fears for Gambaryan’s deteriorating health and safety.