Biden Faces Pressure from AGs to Declare Binance Officer a Hostage in Nigeria

In a significant move, 18 state attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Leticia James, have urged President Joe Biden to classify Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s compliance officer, as a hostage of the Nigerian government.

Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and former IRS Special Agent, has been held in Nigeria since February 2024.

The attorneys general expressed deep concerns about Gambaryan’s well-being, stating he is being detained unlawfully and is in potentially life-threatening conditions. They argue that designating him as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act would provide necessary resources to facilitate his release and increase diplomatic pressure on Nigeria.

The letter highlights that Gambaryan’s health is deteriorating, as he has been denied treatment for malaria and pneumonia and suffers from an untreated herniated disc. They warned that without immediate action, his situation could escalate into a tragedy.

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Gambaryan was reportedly arrested without justification after being invited to Nigeria to discuss allegations against Binance. The attorneys general accused Nigerian officials of misusing their power, claiming his detention is a tactic in the government’s dispute with Binance. They assert that Gambaryan’s basic rights have been violated during his time in Kuje Prison, which is notorious for housing extremists.

This letter was sent on the same day that the Nigerian government failed to produce Gambaryan in court, raising further questions about his treatment and conditions of detention.

Kostadin Dimitrov