Two United State congress members, French Hill (R) and Chrissy Houlahan (D), on June 19 visited Tigran Gambaryan, a detained Binance executive, at Kuje correctional centre in Abuja.
Hill after the visit described Gambaryan’s conditions as dire, saying he has malaria, double pneumonia, and is suffering from inadequate medical attention.
Hill while advocating for Gambaryan’s release, called the detention wrongful and highlighting his background in fighting money laundering and tax evasion as an IRS Special Agent.
Hill joined 16 colleagues in urging President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Special Envoy Carstens to secure Gambaryan’s immediate release.
Additionally, over 100 former federal prosecutors and agents wrote to Blinken, urging the State Department to use all means available to secure his release.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, also requested that the EFCC drop the charges against her husband. The FIRS dropped tax charges against Gambaryan on June 14, and a fresh charge was filed listing Binance as the sole defendant.”
“Yesterday, Houlahan and I visited with US citizen Tigran Gambaryan in Kuje Prison in Nigeria,” Hill said. “We found him suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight. Even worse, he’s being denied access to adequate medical attention.
“Although I am pleased that Nigeria dropped tax evasion charges against Tigran on 6/14, it’s my view that he’s being wrongfully detained on charges related to money laundering.
“Tigran has devoted his professional life to fighting money laundering and tax evasion, having spent ten years as an IRS Special Agent where he successfully led cyber and financial crime investigations.
“Further, at the time of his arrest, he was working as a contract employee at Binance and was instrumental in criminal investigations and compliance in cooperation with Nigerian authorities.”
“Tigran must be immediately granted a humanitarian release, the remaining charges dropped, and he must return home to America where he belongs.”
