The letter by US lawmakers highlighted concerns for Gambaryan’s safety and health. They noted he collapsed in court on May 24 and is suspected of having malaria.
By Bena Ilyas
Edited by Julia Sakovich
Updated
2 mins read
US lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained in Nigeria for nearly three months. Gambaryan, a US citizen and head of compliance for Binance, was arrested by Nigerian authorities on February 26, 2024, along with another executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla. While Anjarwalla escaped custody, Gambaryan remains detained.
The bipartisan effort involves eleven other congressional leaders, led by Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They sent a letter to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, urging them to classify Gambaryan’s situation as a hostage crisis and take immediate action.
🚨NEW: House members including Chairman @RepMcCaul of the @HouseForeignGOP have sent a letter to @POTUS, @SecBlinken and @StateSPEHA urging them to bring detained @binance employee Tigran Gambaryan home.
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) June 4, 2024
According to the letter, Gambaryan has contracted malaria and is being… pic.twitter.com/XCRyS8IPUT
The letter stressed the lawmakers’ concerns for Gambaryan’s safety and health, noting he collapsed in court on May 24 and is suspected of having malaria.
The Nigerian government invited Gambaryan and Anjarwalla to resolve a dispute involving the crypto exchange. Upon their arrival, authorities detained them and accused them of money laundering and tax evasion. The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged the two executives with evading taxes and laundering over $35 million. However, no formal indictment has been made against Binance itself.
The US Chamber of Digital Commerce has raised concerns, describing Gambaryan’s detention as arbitrary and lacking due process, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for American entrepreneurs abroad. The Chamber stressed that the detention challenges international law and diplomatic relations.
Gambaryan’s family has expressed alarm about his deteriorating health, citing his collapse in a Nigerian courtroom and a possible malaria infection. They argue that his continued detention without proper medical care is threatening his life. The court hearings have faced numerous delays, with the EFCC seeking extended detention orders while Gambaryan’s legal team fights for his release.
As pressure mounts on the Biden administration, the focus is on expediting diplomatic channels to secure Gambaryan’s release. The lawmakers’ appeal underscores a critical test for US foreign policy in protecting its citizens from what they perceive as unlawful detentions by foreign governments.
The outcome of this situation could influence future diplomatic strategies and the regulatory environment for international business operations, especially in regions with complex legal landscapes. For now, all eyes are on the US administration’s response and the subsequent developments in Nigerian courts.
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With over 3 years of crypto writing experience, Bena strives to make crypto, blockchain, Web3, and fintech accessible to all. Beyond cryptocurrencies, Bena also enjoys reading books in her spare time.
