Concerns for Detained Compliance Officer Tigran Gambaryan
In a significant move, 18 state attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Leticia James, have called upon President Joe Biden to categorize Binance’s compliance officer, Tigran Gambaryan, as a hostage of the Nigerian government. This request was made in a formal letter released on Friday. Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, has a background in law enforcement as a former Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Detention Circumstances
Since February 2024, Gambaryan has been held in Nigeria, drawing serious concern from the attorneys general regarding his health and overall well-being. They expressed alarm in their letter, stating that he is being held unlawfully under potentially dangerous conditions.
Potential Hostage Designation
Declaring Gambaryan a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act would enable access to resources aimed at accelerating his recovery process. The Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, responsible for tracking and assessing unlawful detentions of U.S. citizens, would oversee his case.
The attorneys general also believe that such a designation would exert additional diplomatic pressure on Nigeria to secure Gambaryan’s prompt release.
Health Concerns and Imminent Danger
The letter highlights serious health issues faced by Gambaryan. It states that his life is in “immediate danger” due to inadequate medical treatment for malaria and pneumonia, as well as an untreated herniated disc that has left him incapacitated.
The attorneys general urgently warned that without immediate action, Gambaryan’s situation could escalate to a tragic outcome.
Allegations of Illegitimate Detention
The group of attorneys general claims that Gambaryan’s detention is not only unlawful but serves as a negotiating tactic in a broader conflict involving the Nigerian government and Binance. They assert:
“This blatant misuse of power is nothing less than extortion, and it must be met with the full weight of the U.S. Government’s influence, particularly given America’s financial and political support of the current political regime in Nigeria.”
Background on Arrest
Earlier this year, Gambaryan was invited to Nigeria to clarify allegations regarding Binance’s manipulation of the Nigerian currency. However, upon his arrival, he faced an unjust arrest, with his passport seized and no formal charges filed against him.
Violations of Rights
The attorneys general accuse Nigerian authorities of infringing upon Gambaryan’s fundamental rights, particularly by denying him necessary medical and nutritional care. He has spent an extended period in Kuje Prison, known for housing violent extremists like Boko Haram and ISIS.
Court Proceedings and Government Accountability
The letter issued by the attorneys general coincided with the failure of the Nigerian government to present Gambaryan at a scheduled court hearing. A press release indicated that the government could neither account for his whereabouts nor provide an adequate explanation, merely confirming that he remains in custody.
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