Sixteen members of the United States House of Representatives have petitioned President Joe Biden, urging him to swiftly secure the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan from Nigerian custody.
“On behalf of Mr. Gambaryan, his family, and concerned Americans, we, the undersigned, urgently request and strongly encourage the transfer of his case to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs,” the Congress members wrote in their Tuesday letter, as reported by Fox Business correspondent Eleanor Terrett.
The Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs coordinates U.S. efforts on overseas hostage-related matters. The lawmakers stated that Gambaryan qualifies as a “U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government” and that his detention has been “marked by excessive and harsh treatment.”
“Mr. Gambaryan’s health and well-being are in danger, and we fear for his life. Immediate action is essential to ensure his safety and preserve his life. We must act swiftly before it is too late,” wrote the group of House lawmakers, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas.
They reiterated that Gambaryan, Binance’s chief of financial compliance, has been “wrongfully detained” since late February after responding to the Nigerian government’s request for discussions regarding the crypto giant’s business in the country.
The lawmakers asserted that “the government of Nigeria took Mr. Gambaryan hostage” and called for the U.S. government’s intervention for his release.
They highlighted his work as a former IRS agent who helped lead some of the country’s “most prolific cyber investigations,” including the seizure of $4.725 billion in illicit funds.
This letter marks the most high-profile move concerning Gambaryan’s case, following his family’s continued appeals to the government for help. The law firm handling Gambaryan’s case previously informed the Nigerian Federal High Court that their client was “very ill” and required immediate medical attention.
Multiple reports indicated that Gambaryan collapsed during a hearing of the case, wherein he is accused of involvement in Binance’s violations of Nigerian law. Although Justice Emeka Nwite ordered Gambaryan’s transfer to a hospital, his family stated late last month that he had not been moved. They also revealed that Gambaryan was suspected of having malaria and a severe throat infection.