US Lawmakers Pressure Biden To Secure Binance Exec’s Return From Nigeria

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As a crypto investor with experience in following news related to the industry, I am deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive and former federal agent. The recent letter from U.S. lawmakers urging President Biden and top officials to take immediate action on his case has caught my attention.

As a researcher, I’ve come across some concerning news regarding Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive and former federal agent, who has reportedly been held against his will in Nigeria for over three months. U.S. lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden and relevant administration officials to take swift action to secure his release, as they believe his detention is unlawful.

Policymakers Pen Letter Urging Binance Executive’s Return

I, as an analyst, would put it this way: In a letter penned on June 4, 2024, I and my fellow policymakers addressed President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens. Several members of the House, led by Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, conveyed deep concerns over the health and conditions of a Binance executive being held in Nigerian custody.

I’ve come across the case of Gambaryan, an American and ex-IRS agent, who was taken into custody on February 26th. The reason for his travel to Nigeria at that time was reportedly to attend to some pressing compliance matters concerning Binance.

At first, the meetings between Gambaryan and Nigerian authorities were professional. However, they later became confrontational, resulting in Gambaryan’s arrest by Nigerian officials. In their statement, lawmakers expressed this as “Mr. Gambaryan was seized against his will by the Nigerian Government.” Additionally, they described how Binance’s representative was forcibly moved to a government-owned residence and kept in isolation without any means of communication for five consecutive days.

Furthermore, despite a court decree on March 12 that the detention order had not been renewed, Gambaryan’s unlawful confinement persisted until new accusations were brought forth. This reportedly occurred as an alternative to initiating legal proceedings against Binance. Thus, the letter underscores that “Gambaryan is currently facing trial instead of pursuing legal action against his former employer.”

Further information reveals that Gambaryan’s imprisonment circumstances have been unfavorable. He is currently detained at Kuje Prison, infamous for its tough living conditions. Moreover, he encountered difficulties in accessing his lawyers without government oversight. A major concern arises as his health has noticeably worsened since his incarceration.

Gambaryan’s Health Deteriorates

The letter explains that “He was diagnosed with malaria and asked for hospital care from the prison authorities after falling ill in court on May 23rd. Yet, they have refused to grant him this request as of June 4th.” Binance’s Gambaryan experienced a collapse in court on May 23rd, leading the judge to order his transfer to a private hospital. However, he has not received proper medical care by the given date.

Lawmakers strongly argue that Gambaryan’s imprisonment by the foreign government qualifies as “unjust detention” according to the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Accountability Act. They urgently call for his case to be handled by the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and stress the importance of taking immediate action to secure Gambaryan’s safety.

The letter expresses concern for Mr. Gambaryan’s health and warns that his life is at risk. It emphasizes the need for prompt action to secure his safety and prevent harm. Unfortunately, despite the US’s attempts, Nigeria has yet to cooperate, which could potentially exacerbate the situation.

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2024-06-05 10:05