U.S. Politicians Urge Intervention for Binance Employee Detained in Nigeria
Summary:
A group of U.S. politicians has appealed to President Biden and his hostage affairs unit to intervene in the case of Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan, detained in Nigeria for over three months on accusations of money laundering and tax evasion. Described as wrongfully detained and in rapidly declining health, the politicians are calling for urgent action by the U.S. They claim Gambaryan's charges are part of an extortion attempt against Binance. The captive employee, a former federal agent and 10-year veteran of the IRS, is being housed in a notorious prison and is suffering from malaria.
There are reports that a consortium of American politicians have appealed to President Joe Biden and the hostage-related department to facilitate the return of Binance employee, Tigran Gambaryan. He has been detained in Nigeria for over three months, accused of being involved in money laundering and tax evasion activities. The politicians, in a letter dated June 4 and addressed to President Biden, Secretary Antony Blinken, and Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, with 12 signees, expressed worry over Gambaryan's wrongful imprisonment by the Nigerian government and emphasized the urgency to intervene before the situation gets out of hand: "His safety and preservation of life is paramount. Immediate action is imperative to avoid a catastrophic outcome."
This group of politicians, predominantly from Congress, is pushing for the case to be managed by the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, as noted in the letter, which Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett made public on X.
Narrating Gambaryan's predicament, the letter, implied that his list of unfounded charges including money laundering and tax evasion were presumptively a pressure method from the Nigerian authorities to manipulate Binance.
Gambaryan is the head of financial crime compliance for the cryptocurrency exchange. He was summoned to Nigeria on February 26 to address the firm's regulatory compliance issues within the country. However, following two professionally convened meetings that escalated into hostility, he was apprehended by the Nigerian authorities.
Being lodged in the dauntingly infamous Kuje Prison in Nigeria, he's alarmingly confronting the situation in a cell primarily intended for ISIS militants, according to the politicians. They also disclosed that he has contracted malaria, and a court directive to move him to a private hospital has been unheeded.
Gambaryan's request for bail was denied on May 18. Following his absence in a prearranged court appearance on May 22, his location and wellness remained undisclosed to the court, prosecutors, and his defense team. Although he made an appearance when the court session resumed the next day, the politicians observed a noticeable decline in his physical vitality. They described an incident where he couldn't stand unaided and eventually collapsed.
The politicians further stated that Gambaryan was denied confidential meetings with his legal representatives, as Nigerian authorities and armed guards were always in attendance.
Before his engagement with Binance, Gambaryan served as a federal agent and spent a decade working for the Internal Revenue Service.
Published At
6/5/2024 3:59:28 AM
Disclaimer: Algoine does not endorse any content or product on this page. Readers should conduct their own research before taking any actions related to the asset, company, or any information in this article and assume full responsibility for their decisions. This article should not be considered as investment advice. Our news is prepared with AI support.
Do you suspect this content may be misleading, incomplete, or inappropriate in any way, requiring modification or removal?
We appreciate your report.