A group of 18 state attorneys general has urged President Joe Biden to help secure the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024.
The attorneys general have asked Biden to designate Gambaryan as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.
The group expressed concern over Gambaryan’s deteriorating health and the unlawful nature of his detention, according to a joint letter sent on Oct. 18.
Attorney General John Formella wrote in the letter:
“His continued detention without cause is not only a violation of his rights but also poses a severe risk to his health and well-being… It is our duty to advocate for U.S. citizens abroad, and we urge the federal government to apply the necessary diplomatic pressure to secure his release.”
Gambaryan in court. Source: Nairametrics
Concerns for Gambaryan’s health intensified after a judge postponed his hearing on Oct. 18 due to his inability to appear in court. The hearing was rescheduled for Oct. 25.
Related: Binance CEO calls Gambaryan’s treatment ‘inhuman’ as disturbing new video emerges
Was Gambaryan detained to extort Binance?
Gambaryan was detained during a visit to Nigeria to address allegations related to Binance’s involvement in manipulating the local currency, which began to crash in May 2023. He was reportedly connected to alleged financial crimes involving $34 million linked to Binance’s operations in the country.
Attorney General joint letter. Source: Doj.nh.gov
However, numerous US lawmakers said that Gambaryan was wrongfully detained.
In July, Representative Rich McCormick introduced a resolution to Congress calling for the labeling of Gambaryan’s detention as a “hostage” situation.” At the time, McCormick claimed that the Nigerian government was holding Gambaryan without cause to extort the cryptocurrency exchange for money.
Related: US diplomats pressure Nigeria to release detained Binance exec
Gambaryan’s treatment is “inhuman” according to Binance CEO
A disturbing new video emerged on Sept. 2, showing how Gambaryan was being treated by Nigerian authorities.
The troubling video prompted Binance CEO Richard Teng to demand Gambaryan’s immediate release. Sharing the video, Teng wrote in a Sept. 3 X post:
“This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family.”
Teng’s response to Gambaryan’s video from the hearing. Source: Richard Teng
The video shows Gambaryan struggling to walk. He repeatedly asks the guard why he is not allowed to use a wheelchair. However, the guard ignores his requests and insists he continue walking with only a single crutch.
Cointelegraph approached Gambaryan’s family representative for commentary.
In July, an arrest warrant was issued for Dr. Abraham Ehizojie — a medical doctor at the Kuje prison facility — for failure to appear in court or produce a mandatory medical report for Gambaryan.
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