- U.S. lawmakers are petitioning President Joe Biden to intervene in the detention of a Binance executive in Nigeria.
- Lawmakers’ letter urges immediate attention to the case, citing severe health risks for the detained executive.
- A notable detail from the letter describes the allegations against the executive as coercive and baseless.
Lawmakers urge President Biden to address the case of detained Binance executive in Nigeria.
Lawmakers Call for Urgent Action in Detention of Binance Executive
In a letter sent to the White House, several U.S. lawmakers, including Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, have urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens to intervene in the case of Tigran Gambaryan. Gambaryan, who heads Binance’s financial compliance unit, has been detained in Nigeria since February. The legislators are pushing for immediate action due to concerns over his health and well-being.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The lawmakers’ letter describes the accusations against Gambaryan, including charges of money laundering amounting to $35 million, as unfounded. They argue that these charges are a tactic by the Nigerian authorities to exert pressure on Binance. Under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, they maintain that Gambaryan should be recognized as a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government.
Conditions in Detention
Tigran Gambaryan has been held in the Kuje Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. The letter emphasizes that he has been denied access to his legal counsel unless in the presence of Nigerian government officials and armed guards. Moreover, Gambaryan collapsed in court recently and was hospitalized, but the prison authorities have failed to comply fully with the court’s order for appropriate medical care.
Background and Current Situation
Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were detained without charge for 14 days under the terms of a court order while Nigerian authorities carried out an investigation into crypto exchanges. This investigation led to extended detention and subsequent money laundering charges. Following Anjarwalla’s escape from custody and departure from Nigeria, additional charges of tax evasion were filed against Binance and the two executives.
Appeals for Release
Binance CEO Richard Teng has demanded Tigran Gambaryan’s release, claiming that the executive’s detention in a dangerous prison is an attempt to control the company. Gambaryan has also sued the Nigerian government for unlawful detention. The lawmakers’ letter calls for the case to be transferred to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, urging immediate action to ensure Gambaryan’s safety and life.
Conclusion
This ongoing case highlights the complex intersection of international diplomacy, corporate governance, and human rights. The immediate priority remains the safety and well-being of Tigran Gambaryan. The U.S. lawmakers seek to expedite his release and bring attention to potential abuses of power by Nigerian authorities. The situation remains fluid, with important implications for both the crypto industry and U.S.-Nigeria diplomatic relations.
