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U.S. Politicians Demand Release of Binance Employee Held in Nigeria

Jun 5, 2024

A group of twelve U.S. officials has urged President Joe Biden and the hostage affairs unit to repatriate Tigran Gambaryan, an employee of Binance, who has been detained in Nigeria for more than three months on charges related to financial crimes. The politicians, in a letter dated June 4 and directed to President Biden, Secretary Antony Blinken, and Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, asserted that Gambaryan's detention is unjust and necessitates prompt intervention. The correspondence, initially shared by Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett, underscores the critical nature of the situation, expressing concerns for Gambaryan's well-being and emphasizing the immediacy of the required actions to safeguard his life. The officials specifically call on the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to oversee Gambaryan's case, contending that the allegations against him lack merit and are part of a coercive strategy by Nigerian authorities to extract concessions from Binance. Gambaryan, who serves as the head of financial crime compliance at Binance, traveled to Nigeria at the invitation of the government in late February to discuss the company's adherence to regulatory requirements. Following initial meetings, he was apprehended by Nigerian officials. Presently detained in Kuje Prison under harsh conditions, Gambaryan's health has deteriorated, evident from a recent positive malaria diagnosis and the court's refusal to authorize private medical care. Denied bail on May 18, Gambaryan failed to attend a subsequent court session on May 22, leading to confusion among legal parties. Upon his eventual appearance the next day, Gambaryan exhibited a significant decline in physical health, collapsing during the hearing. The letter further highlights that Gambaryan's interactions with his legal representatives have been monitored by Nigerian authorities and armed personnel. Before joining Binance, Gambaryan served as a federal agent with the Internal Revenue Service for a decade. The joint plea made by the U.S. officials underscores the urgency of securing the release of Tigran Gambaryan from detention in Nigeria, underscoring widespread apprehension regarding his wrongful imprisonment and the imperative for immediate measures to guarantee his safety.

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