A group of 18 US state attorneys general has appealed to President Joe Biden to help secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained in Nigeria since February 2024.

Appeal to President Biden

In a joint letter dated October 18, the attorneys general urged President Joe Biden to consider Tigran Gambaryan's detention as a hostage situation under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. Their concerns stem from the deteriorating health of Gambaryan and the legal basis of his detention. Gambaryan, a former US federal agent, is currently in the custody of the Nigerian government, which the attorneys general claim is using him as leverage against Binance. The letter describes Gambaryan as a hero who has served a distinguished career with the IRS in supporting American values and the rule of law, noting his pivotal role in bringing Binance into compliance with US laws.

Health and Legality Concerns

The situation escalated in July when US Representative Rich McCormick proposed a congressional resolution to classify the detention as a hostage situation. Gambaryan failed to appear in court on October 18, and the hearing was postponed to October 25. His health issues intensified after this. In August, his wife Yuki informed the press that his health had deteriorated to such an extent that it might result in permanent damage and affect his ability to walk.

Support and Prospects

The attorneys general promised to keep advocating for Gambaryan's release and called upon the Biden administration to prioritize the case. They emphasized that Gambaryan has contributed significantly to law enforcement and continues to play an important role in enhancing Binance's regulatory standards in the US.

The detention of Tigran Gambaryan raises serious concerns about its legality and his health. While prosecutors call for his release, Gambaryan's fate remains uncertain.