Over 100 former US law enforcement officials have penned a letter to Secretary Blinken, urging the State Department to escalate efforts to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a detained Binance executive in Nigeria.
It comes just a day after16 members of Congress sent a similar letter, adding to the State Department’s pressure.
The letter underscores Gambaryan's familial ties and his extensive career as a US Internal Revenue Service Special Agent, portraying him as a law-abiding family man. Axios reports that the initiative for the letter came from investor and Coinbase board member Katie Haun.
In January 2024, Gambaryan and other Binance representatives traveled to Nigeria for discussions on financial regulations. However, Binance CEO Richard Teng alleges that Nigerian officials attempted to coerce them into a clandestine bribery arrangement to resolve government accusations against Binance. Despite safety concerns, Gambaryan returned to Nigeria in February for further talks, only to be detained alongside colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla in March.
During their two-week detention, both executives faced accusations of money laundering and tax evasion. While Anjarwalla reportedly left Nigeria, Gambaryan remained and pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges in April. The ex-prosecutors assert Gambaryan's innocence, highlighting his subordinate role at Binance and expressing alarm at his deteriorating health, including fainting spells in court, possibly due to malaria.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, the former prosecutors advocate for immediate action, citing Gambaryan's confinement in Kuje Prison, known for its dangerous inmate population.
In conclusion, the plea from former prosecutors underscores growing concern over Gambaryan's detention and the need for swift intervention to secure his release and ensure his well-being.