Attorneys general from multiple US states have urged President Joe Biden to take action regarding the detention of Binance executive Tigran Gimbrayan by authorities in Nigeria. This situation arises months after similar concerns were raised by some US lawmakers about the reported declining health of the former IRS officer.
US Attorneys Call on Biden to Classify Tigran’s Detention as Hostage Situation
In a recent letter sent to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 18 state attorneys general expressed grave concern for Gambaryan, who has been incarcerated in Nigeria for over seven months. The American citizen, employed by Binance, was taken into custody along with his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla after traveling to Nigeria to address regulatory matters related to the crypto exchange in February.
While Anjarwalla managed to flee Nigeria in March, Gambrayan remains detained, facing trial for charges including money laundering and tax evasion as part of his association with Binance. Attorney generals from states such as Utah, Connecticut, and Kansas have condemned Gambrayan’s detention as unlawful and as a tool of leverage by Nigerian authorities amidst ongoing disputes with Binance.
The attorneys also raised concerns about Gambrayan’s deteriorating health, as he has been denied necessary treatment for conditions like malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc, which have led to motor impairments. They emphasized that the circumstances of his detention could lead to a fatal outcome, referencing the tragic case of US student Otto Warmbier in North Korea.
In light of these considerations, the attorneys general are asking Biden to classify Gambrayan as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. This designation would allow for the mobilization of government resources and intensification of diplomatic efforts to secure the swift release of the Binance employee.
Binance Executive Merits Our Full Support – US AGs
In advocating for the hostage designation, the US attorneys general noted that Gambaryan had served the US government in various roles before his position at Binance as the Chief Financial Crime Compliance Officer. His experience includes serving as a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and as a federal agent involved in dismantling dark web operations like AlphaBay and Silk Road. They implored Biden to utilize all possible means to safeguard the life of this American citizen and dedicated law enforcement officer.
Attorneys general from other states including New Hampshire, Maine, Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands, Vermont, and Virginia have also co-signed this petition.
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