A group of 18 U.S. state attorneys general is urging President Joe Biden to intervene in the case of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been detained in Nigeria for over seven months.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in February while addressing regulatory matters related to the cryptocurrency exchange. His colleague managed to leave Nigeria, but Gambaryan faces serious charges, including money laundering and tax evasion, which the attorneys general believe are politically motivated.
The attorneys general, representing states like Utah, Connecticut, and Kansas, have expressed grave concerns about Gambaryan’s health, noting that he has been denied medical treatment for serious conditions such as malaria and pneumonia. They fear for his life, drawing parallels to the unfortunate case of Otto Warmbier, an American who died after being detained in North Korea.
In a letter to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the attorneys general are calling for Gambaryan’s situation to be recognized as a hostage case under U.S. law. This designation would enable the government to leverage more resources and diplomatic efforts to secure his release.
They also highlight Gambaryan’s previous service to the U.S. government, where he worked as a special agent with the IRS and played a role in dismantling major dark web operations.
The letter has garnered support from attorneys general across various states, including New Hampshire, Maine, and New York, all emphasizing the need to protect the life of an American citizen and former law enforcement officer. They are urging the Biden administration to take decisive action to ensure Gambaryan’s safe return home.
