Over 100 former US federal officials have taken action for the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who is detained in Nigeria. They called on the US State Department to take immediate steps for his release. In a June 6 letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, they expressed serious concerns about the US government’s insufficient efforts so far and highlighted potential severe consequences if inaction continues.
Details of the Letter
The letter emphasized Gambaryan’s significant contributions to the US during his tenure as a Special Agent at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It noted his decade-long service combating high-profile public corruption cases, including child pornography, terrorism financing, identity theft, and the famous Silk Road case. Many officials who signed the letter shared their firsthand experiences working with Gambaryan, affirming his dedication to upholding the rule of law.
Former prosecutors and officials argue that Gambaryan is unjustly accused of money laundering and tax evasion in Nigeria. His role as head of financial crimes and compliance at Binance does not make him responsible for the company’s overall actions. Gambaryan is described as an entirely innocent “mid-level” executive, and his detention is deemed unjust.
Detained in Nigeria
In January, Gambaryan traveled to Nigeria with other Binance employees to discuss financial compliance with Nigerian authorities. It is alleged that after the meeting, officials demanded a significant payment to resolve compliance issues with Binance. Concerned for their safety, Gambaryan and his colleagues quickly left Nigeria. However, Gambaryan was invited back the following month, where he was arrested, and his passport was confiscated.
In February, Gambaryan was detained at the Kuje correctional facility in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. His colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, facing the same charges, managed to escape detention and sought refuge in Kenya. Gambaryan’s continued detention has sparked strong reactions from former US officials.
Criticism of the State Department
This situation highlights the broader implications of the US government’s failure to protect its citizens abroad. The coalition’s letter is not just a plea for Gambaryan’s release but also a call for the US State Department to take stronger action and provide support in such critical situations.
The unified stance of former prosecutors and officials underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to prevent dire consequences and ensure justice for an individual who has dedicated his career to fighting crime.
