Eighteen State Attorneys General have officially called on President Joe Biden to intervene in securing the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024. The group’s joint letter, sent on October 18, invoked the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, urging the President to take diplomatic steps to address Gambaryan’s deteriorating health and what they describe as an “unlawful detention.”
Concerns Over Gambaryan’s Health and Rights
In their letter, spearheaded by Attorney General John Formella, the state officials voiced concerns over Gambaryan’s worsening condition, citing that his health has reportedly deteriorated in Nigeria’s Kuje prison. The group warned of the severe risk posed to his well-being, stating that Gambaryan has been deprived of appropriate medical care despite repeated attempts by his legal team to seek his release on health grounds.
John Formella’s statement reads:
“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. We must advocate for U.S. citizens abroad, and we urge the federal government to apply the necessary diplomatic pressure to secure his release.”
Legal and Medical Pleas for Release
Since his detention, Gambaryan’s legal team has made multiple attempts to secure his release, including a recent bail application filed on medical grounds in September. Mark Mordi, Gambaryan’s lawyer, requested either full bail or a six-week bail to allow Gambaryan to receive urgent medical attention, citing a medical report from July 18 that called for immediate lumbar surgery due to a herniated disk.
Mordi argued that Gambaryan’s condition is beyond the capabilities of the Nigerian Correctional Service and highlighted negligence in handling his case. He emphasized that the incarcerated executive requires specialized care, including intervention from an orthopedic surgeon and psychiatric treatment.
EFCC’s Opposition and Ongoing Legal Battle
In response, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by lawyer Emeka Iheanacho, contested the bail request. Iheanacho claimed that Gambaryan had refused prior medical treatment, despite being taken to neurosurgeons. He suggested that the defendant was resistant to the offered care and implied that his medical condition was being exaggerated to avoid prosecution.
The court case, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has been postponed to October 25, intensifying concerns over Gambaryan’s ability to receive timely medical attention.
Was Gambaryan Wrongfully Detained?
Tigran Gambaryan’s detention stems from accusations tied to a sharp crash in the naira’s value in May 2023, during which the Nigerian government claimed Binance’s involvement in cybercrimes worth approximately $34 million. Gambaryan, who was visiting Nigeria at the time, was detained due to his connection with the cryptocurrency exchange, raising international scrutiny over the handling of his case.
Several U.S. officials, including Representative Rich McCormick, have characterized Gambaryan’s detention as unjust, labeling the situation a “hostage” scenario aimed at extorting money from Binance. McCormick and others argue that the executive is being held without cause, further criticizing the Nigerian government’s motives in the case.
Global Outcry and Binance’s Response
Gambaryan’s deteriorating health has sparked international concern, with prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry, including Binance CEO Richard Teng, publicly calling for his immediate release. On September 3, Teng shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) that showed Gambaryan struggling to walk, describing his treatment as inhumane.
Teng’s post read:
“This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family.”
Binance, through an official email to Technext, expressed disappointment in the Nigerian court’s decision to deny Gambaryan bail, particularly given the severity of his medical condition. The company reiterated that Gambaryan did not act as a decision-maker for Binance during his visit to Nigeria, and there is no justifiable reason for his continued detention.
EFCC’s Counterclaims and Legal Stalemate
Despite growing pressure, the EFCC’s legal team has maintained its opposition to Gambaryan’s bail. Emeka Iheanacho argued that the correctional facilities are fully capable of handling his medical needs, suggesting that the executive’s symptoms were exaggerated. He also noted the frequent pattern of high-profile defendants in Nigeria feigning illness to delay or avoid prosecution.
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As Gambaryan’s health continues to worsen, his legal team and international advocates are pushing for a resolution, while the EFCC insists on Gambaryan’s ability to receive adequate care within the prison system. With the next court date set for October 25, the outcome of the case remains uncertain, but the involvement of U.S. state officials signals an escalation in diplomatic efforts to secure his release.
A Growing Humanitarian and Diplomatic Concern
As Gambaryan’s health deteriorates and international scrutiny mounts, the case has taken on significant humanitarian and diplomatic dimensions. The use of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act underscores the gravity of the situation, with calls for President Biden to engage diplomatically with Nigerian authorities intensifying.
With mounting global attention and continued advocacy from his legal team, Gambaryan’s future may hinge on both international intervention and Nigeria’s legal proceedings in the coming weeks. The world now watches to see how the U.S. government responds to the plea for Gambaryan’s release and whether Nigerian authorities will yield to increasing pressure.