U.S. lawmakers have rallied behind the case of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been detained in Nigeria for nearly three months, urging President Joe Biden to intervene and secure his return to the United States. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joined by 11 other leaders, penned a letter to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, calling for immediate action.
In their plea, the lawmakers emphasized the urgency of treating Gambaryan’s situation as a hostage crisis, given his status as a U.S. citizen and his critical role as Binance’s head of compliance. Expressing grave concern for his safety, they stressed the need for swift intervention to ensure his well-being and safeguard his life.
Gambaryan, along with another Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, was detained by Nigerian authorities following their invitation to the country to address a dispute involving the crypto exchange. While Anjarwalla managed to evade capture, Gambaryan has remained in Nigerian custody for almost three months, prompting growing apprehension among his supporters.
The family of the detained executive has reported his deteriorating health, raising fears that he may be suffering from malaria. This concern was compounded when Gambaryan collapsed in a Nigerian courtroom on May 24, underscoring the urgency of his situation.
Meanwhile, both Binance and Gambaryan are confronting accusations of money laundering and tax evasion in Nigeria, adding complexity to their legal predicament as efforts to secure Gambaryan’s release intensify.
