The U.S. government has intensified its efforts to free Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement officer and current employee of cryptocurrency giant Binance, who has been detained in Nigeria since February.
This case has become a significant diplomatic issue between the United States and Nigeria, as revealed by two senior State Department officials.
Gambaryan, 40, was arrested in Nigeria while conducting meetings related to Binance’s operations. Nigerian authorities accused him and Binance of tax evasion and money laundering, though the tax charges against Gambaryan were later dropped.
The remaining charges are still contested, with Binance denying wrongdoing and describing Gambaryan as a mid-level employee without direct responsibility for the alleged offenses.
The U.S. has raised concerns about Gambaryan’s health, noting that he has suffered from malaria, pneumonia, and severe complications related to a herniated disk. His family reports that he has not received adequate medical care, worsening his condition.
The State Department has pushed for his release on humanitarian grounds, with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and other U.S. diplomats advocating for his freedom in discussions with Nigerian officials.
Nigerian representatives, however, argue that Gambaryan has access to medical care and that his legal situation should be resolved in court. Bayo Onanuga, an adviser to President Bola Tinubu, confirmed ongoing talks but emphasized adherence to legal processes.
“Talks are ongoing,” Mr. Onanuga said. “Government will do all it can within the law, and also bearing in mind Gambaryan’s humanitarian rights.”
The Nigerian attorney general’s office said in a statement Thursday that Mr. Gambaryan could only receive a pardon after a trial, held to be on October.
The situation is further complicated by the timing of Gambaryan’s arrest, which came shortly after Binance agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities over money laundering accusations. Binance’s founder, Changpeng Zhao, also faced legal issues and has been serving a prison sentence.
Gambaryan’s case has sparked calls from his supporters, including lawyer Robert S. Litt, for the U.S. to use the Levinson Act to designate him as “wrongfully detained.” This designation could lead to sanctions against Nigerian officials, though the U.S. government has not yet taken this step.
As high-level Nigerian officials prepare for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, expressed frustration over the potential diplomatic reception, urging the U.S. to address the humanitarian aspect of her husband’s plight.
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