US Lawmakers Demand Immediate Release Of Binance’s Gambaryan
Abuja, Nigeria – Members of the United States House of Representatives, French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan, have urged the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who is currently detained in Nigeria on charges of tax evasion and other financial crimes.
The lawmakers’ call followed their visit to Gambaryan at Kuje Prison on Wednesday, where they raised concerns over his deteriorating health condition. They reported that Gambaryan is suffering from malaria and double pneumonia, has lost significant weight, and is being denied adequate medical care.
In a post on X, Hill recounted the visit: “Yesterday, @RepHoulahan and I visited US citizen Tigran Gambaryan in Kuje Prison in Nigeria. We found him suffering, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports significant weight loss. Even worse, he’s being denied adequate medical attention.”
Hill expressed relief that Nigeria dropped tax evasion charges against Gambaryan on June 14 but maintained that his detention on money laundering charges is wrongful. He highlighted Gambaryan’s decade-long career as an IRS Special Agent, specializing in cyber and financial crime investigations. At the time of his arrest, Gambaryan was working as a contract employee at Binance, aiding in criminal investigations and compliance efforts with Nigerian authorities.
Hill further noted, “On June 4, I joined a letter with @RepMcCormick and 16 other colleagues to @POTUS, @SecBlinken, and @StateSPEHA urging for Tigran’s immediate release. Two days later, over 100 former federal prosecutors and agents wrote to @SecBlinken, further urging @StateDept to secure his release.”
The lawmakers demand that Gambaryan be granted a humanitarian release, have the remaining charges dropped, and be allowed to return to the United States.
