Attorneys urge Biden to assist in release of Binance exec in Nigeria

A group of 18 state attorneys general is calling on President Joe Biden to intervene in the case of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024.

The attorneys general, in a letter sent on Oct. 18, asked Biden to designate Gambaryan as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, citing concerns about his health and the unlawful nature of his detention.

John Formella, one of the attorneys general, emphasised, “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.”

Gambaryan was detained in Nigeria while addressing allegations tied to Binance’s role in financial crimes, including involvement in the country’s currency crash in May 2023 and accusations concerning $34 million linked to Binance.

However, U.S. lawmakers believe he was wrongfully detained.

Representative Rich McCormick has called for Gambaryan’s detention to be labeled a "hostage" situation, alleging that Nigerian authorities may be using the case to extort money from Binance.

Concerns for Gambaryan’s health escalated after a court postponed his hearing on Oct. 18 due to his illness, rescheduling it for Oct. 25.

A video from September 2024 showing Gambaryan struggling to walk under the supervision of Nigerian guards prompted Binance CEO Richard Teng to demand his immediate release, calling the treatment “inhumane.”

As diplomatic pressure mounts, U.S. attorneys and officials continue to push for Gambaryan’s release, raising concerns about his declining health and the legal circumstances surrounding his detention.