A letter written by 18 US attorneys general aims to get the Biden administration to take action in getting Tigran Gambaryan home from Nigerian prison.
18 US attorneys general have sent a letter to President Joe Biden to free Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan from Nigerian prison. Gambaryan, the exchange’s head of financial crime compliance and a former federal executive, was arrested in February over money laundering and tax evasion charges levied against Binance. The move has many claiming that Gambaryan’s detention is an extortion attempt through which Nigerian authorities can get Binance to pay hefty sums.
The letter seeks to move Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to provide him the hostage status according to the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. They fear for his life in Nigeria, seeking to bring him home at the earliest.
“Mr. Gambaryan is a dedicated public servant who has devoted his life to upholding the law and protecting American values,” said Attorney General John M. Formella. “His continued detention without cause is not only a violation of his rights but also poses a severe risk to his health and well-being.”
Tigran Gambaryan’s Declining Health Poses Tremendous Concern Tigran Gambaryan
Gambaryan is currently detained in Kuje Prison, a correctional facility known for holding notorious individuals, including members of the terrorist organization Boko Haram. Through his prison stint, his health has drastically deteriorated. Gambaryan suffered from double pneumonia and malaria earlier this year. Presently, his ailments include back issues so severe, due to a herniated disc, that he is unable to walk without support. The prison facility has been accused of not acting to safeguard his health.
Concerns mount as Gambaryan failed to appear at a hearing scheduled on October 18. Many believe it has to do with his health issues. At a previous hearing this month, his legal counsel asked the court to release him on bail so he could receive the treatment he needs overseas. The counsel mentioned that the level of healthcare in Nigeria would not suffice his needs. However, Judge Emeka Nwite denied the bail.
The letter drew parallels to another US citizen who was imprisoned overseas and passed away due to declining health conditions, mentioning, “The refusal of Nigerian authorities to allow independent medical evaluations or access to proper treatment mirrors the conditions that led to the tragic death of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. student who was detained in North Korea.” It added, “We cannot allow history to repeat itself. Gambaryan’s life hangs in the balance, and swift action is needed before it is too late.”
