US lawmakers claim Binance executive arrested in Nigeria is a hostage

Representatives Rich McCormick and French Hill have introduced a resolution to the House Foreign Affairs Committee calling on the U.S. government to classify the detention of Binance crypto exchange chief executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria as a hostage situation.

The resolution, which McCormick formally filed on Wednesday and was co-signed by Hill, calls for the immediate release of US citizen Gambaryan. It highlights concerns about Gambaryan’s deteriorating health in Kuje prison and calls on the US government to declare him “wrongfully detained by a foreign government”.

Congressmen warn that if Gambaryan’s case is not resolved by mid-July, his detention could be extended until September due to the court’s usual recess.

Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crimes and a former IRS agent, was arrested in Nigeria in February along with his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla. They face money laundering charges, but tax-related charges were dropped. Anjarwalla escaped from custody in March.

Binance manager’s health deteriorates in Nigeria

The resolution highlights Gambaryan’s ten years with the IRS, during which he helped seize over $4 billion in illegal funds for the U.S. government. Rep. Hill, who visited Gambaryan in prison last month, expressed concern about the official’s status:

When I recently visited Tigran in Kuje Prison in Nigeria, I noticed his health was deteriorating. I am proud to join my friend and Mr. Gambaryan’s Congressman, Rep. Rich McCormick, in leading this resolution to send a signal to the Nigerian government that he must be released immediately, the remaining charges dropped, and he must return to America where he belongs.

Both Hill and McCormick consider the detention a violation of Gambaryan’s rights and a grave injustice. McCormick said:

The continued detention of Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria is a clear violation of his rights and a grave injustice. We call on the Nigerian government to release him immediately and provide him with the medical care he needs and a fair trial. The United States government must do everything in its power to secure the release of one of our citizens wrongfully detained abroad.

This resolution follows a letter signed in June by 16 members of Congress calling on the White House to urgently address Gambaryan’s detention, stressing the need for swift action to ensure his safety and protect his life.