US Attorneys Urge Biden to Act on Binance Exec's Detention in Nigeria

US state attorney generals are urging President Joe Biden to take action in response to the detention of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan by Nigerian authorities. The request comes following previous concerns raised by US lawmakers about Gambaryan's deteriorating health after being held in custody for several months.

In a recent letter to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 18 US attorney generals voiced concerns about Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria for over seven months. Gambaryan, a US citizen and Binance employee, was detained in February during a visit to Nigeria regarding regulatory issues with the crypto exchange. His colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, managed to escape Nigeria in March, but Gambaryan remains in custody and is facing charges of money laundering and tax evasion, reportedly as a representative of Binance.

Attorney generals from several states, including Utah, Connecticut, and Kansas, have described Gambaryan’s detention as unlawful and part of an attempt by Nigerian authorities to use him as leverage in their ongoing disputes with Binance. They are particularly concerned about his health condition, highlighting that he has been denied treatment for malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc, leading to motor deficits. The letter warns that Gambaryan's life may be at risk, drawing comparisons to the tragic case of US student Otto Warmbier, who died after being detained in North Korea.

In light of these concerns, the attorney generals have called on Biden to officially classify Gambaryan's situation as a hostage case under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. Such a designation would allow the US government to use more resources and apply increased diplomatic pressure to secure Gambaryan's release.

The letter also emphasizes Gambaryan’s service to the US government before joining Binance, where he held roles such as a special agent with the IRS and a federal agent involved in dismantling notorious dark web sites like AlphaBay and Silk Road. The attorneys argue that Gambaryan’s dedicated service to law enforcement should be recognized, and they urge Biden to use all available means to ensure his safe return to the US.

Other states whose attorney generals have co-signed the petition include New Hampshire, Maine, Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, the US Virgin Islands, Vermont, and Virginia. These officials stress the importance of defending the life of an American citizen and former law officer.