Fifteen members of United States Congress and Chairman House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael T. McCaul have asked President Joseph Biden of the United States of America to declare Binance Executive , Tigran Gambaryan currently undergoing trial in Abuja Nigeria as a “U.S. Citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government,” and by implications order his rescue.
Recall that Nigeria government on April 4, arraigned Binance Holdings Limited and its two top officials; Tigran Gambaryan and fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, on allegations bordering on tax evasion and money laundering.
Binance Holding Limited , Mr Gambaryan and Mr Anjarwalla were listed in charge as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively in a four-count charge before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja. But, before their arraignment came up Nadeem Anjarwalla who holds dual British and Kenyan citizenship escaped from custody.
United States lawmakers are alleging that following the circumstances of the charges, Mr. Gambaryan qualifies as a “U.S. Citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government,” as defined in the “Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage Taking Accountability Act.”
In their letter to President Biden, copies of which were sent to the Honorable Antony Blinken The White House Secretary and the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs U.S. Department of State, Honorable Roger D. Carstens, the lawmakers led by Rich McCormick, MD, MBA Member of Congress stated as follows;
“As you know, Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and former federal agent is being wrongfully detained by the Nigerian government. Mr. Gambaryan’s background 1s impressive and distinguished. He served at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for over ten years before joining the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, where he is the Head of Financial Crime Compliance.
“During his tenure as an IRS agent. he successfully led some of the most prolific cyber investigations in US. history, seizing $4.725 billion in illicit funds for the U.S. government. Mr. Gambaryan’’s legacy of dedication to justice and the law continued even after he left federal service. On May 3rd of this year, while Tigran fought for his life inside a prison cell designed to hold ISIS combatants, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a press release announcing a historic seizure, thanking former Special Agent Tigran for his groundbreaking work in the investigation.
“On February 26, Mr. Gambaryan traveled to Nigeria at the invitation of the Nigerian government for high-level meetings regarding Binance’’s compliance issues within the country. After two rounds of meetings, which were described as starting professional and then becoming increasingly hostile, the Government of Nigeria took Mr. Gambaryan hostage.
“Armed guards escorted him to his hotel room, where he was forced to surrender his passport. After packing his belongings, he was taken to a Nigerian government-owned house, referred to as the “Guest House.” For five days, Mr. Gambaryan was held hostage without the ability to inform his family, attorneys, or the U.S. State Department of his situation.
“On March 12, a court order that had been obtained by the Nigerian authorities to hold him for 14 days expired. On March 20, the Chief Court 1 of the Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja, Nigeria) stated that “the remand order has not been extended.” Still, it adjourned the matter to April 5 for a ruling. From March 12 to April 5, there was no Nigerian legal basis for the continued detention of Mr. Gambaryan.
“Subsequently, the Government of Nigeria charged him with several crimes as an effigy of his employer, and he was transferred to the notorious Kuje Prison, known for its harsh conditions. The government has admitted openly in court that Tigran is being tried in lieu of pursuing legal action against his employer. On April 24th. the Nigerian government pleaded with the judge to deny bail, stating, “The 1st defendant (Binance) is operating virtually. The only thing we have to hold on to is this defendant (Tigran). So, we pray. My Lord. to refuse bail to the defendant.”
“Mr. Gambaryan’s detainment has been marked by excessive and harsh treatment. Further, he is not permitted to meet with his legal team without the presence of government officials and armed guards. It is crucial to emphasize that the charges against Mr. Gambaryan are baseless and constitute a coercion tactic by the Nigerian government to extort his employer, Binance. Following these charges, Mr. Gambaryan qualifies as a “U.S. Citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government,” as defined in the “Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage Taking Accountability Act.”
“The recent developments in Mr. Gambaryan’s case are deeply disturbing. He had a court hearing scheduled for May 22, and as the court came to order, he was absent. The court, prosecutors, and defense team were unaware of his whereabouts or condition. When the court contacted prison authorities to determine Mr. Gambaryan’s whereabouts, they received no response, and the hearing was postponed.
“The next day, on May 23, the court reconvened, and he was present. He was in the back of the room, slumped over in his chair. When the judge called for Mr. Gambaryan to step forward, he could not stand on his own and ultimately collapsed to the floor. It has since been reported that he tested positive for malaria, and when he requested hospital treatment, the prison officials declined his request. It was not until Mr. Gambaryan collapsed in court that the judge was compelled to order that he be sent to a private hospital for proper treatment. However, as of June 4, the prison has not fully complied with the court order and has not ensured Mr. Gambaryan has received adequate health care.
“Clearly, Mr. Gambaryan is a U.S. citizen being wrongfully detained by the Government of Nigeria per 22 U.S.C. 1741 (a)(9) and (10). 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. 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,” they enjoined the President to so act.
Other lawmakers who signed the letter are Austin Scott, Congress members, Bill Huizenga ,Congress member, Ann Wagner member of Congress,Thomas H. Kean member of Congress, Michael T. McCaul Chairman House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eari L. “Buddy” Carter Member of Congress, Randy K. Weber member of Congress , Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen member of Congress , Keith Self member of Congress, French Hill member of Congress, Joe Williams member of Congress, Warren Davidson member of Congress, Christopher H.Smith member of Congress and Andy Barr member of Congress.