A group of more than 100 former US federal prosecutors is urging the United States government to step up efforts to secure the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan from Nigerian custody, as per a June 6 letter.
Gambaryan, who serves as Binance’s head of compliance, along with his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, was arrested in Nigeria in February after a tense meeting with the government of the African nation. While Anjarwalla managed to flee in March, Gambaryan remains behind bars.
In the letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the former prosecutors criticized the lack of action by the US government and cautioned about potential dire consequences. They stated:
“Tigran is now being held on false charges related to money laundering and tax evasion. He is completely innocent of these charges and, as a mid-tier employee at Binance, does not hold a role that makes him an appropriate stand-in for the company.”
The group emphasized Gambaryan’s extensive experience in law enforcement, where he handled significant cases involving national security, terrorism financing, and identity theft. They defended his innocence and argued that his detention was an effort to pressure Binance into settlements with the Nigerian government, deeming his continued imprisonment as unjust and inhumane.
Gambaryan is currently detained at Kuje Prison, known for housing some of Nigeria’s most notorious criminals, including members of Boko Haram. His access to legal counsel and family contact has been severely limited.
Calls for diplomatic action on the case between the Nigerian government and Gambaryan have been growing. Recently, several US lawmakers urged President Joe Biden to intervene, citing wrongful detention and baseless charges against Gambaryan.
However, the Nigerian government has affirmed its commitment to due process in the legal proceedings against Binance and Gambaryan. The authorities maintain that the accused will have an opportunity to defend themselves in court, with the next hearing scheduled for June 20.
