- Attorneys express concern for Gambaryan’s health, denied treatment for malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc.
- U.S. government urged to use the Robert Levinson Act to mobilize resources, increase diplomatic efforts for release.
Eighteen U.S. attorney generals have formally requested President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to recognize the detention of Tigran Gambaryan as a hostage situation. Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and employee of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has been held in Nigeria for over seven months following his arrest on charges including money laundering and tax evasion.
The request came through a letter that detailed the circumstances of Gambaryan’s detention, which began during his visit to Nigeria to address regulatory concerns related to Binance. His colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who was arrested with him, managed to leave Nigeria in March, but Gambaryan has remained in custody.
The attorney generals from states including Utah, Connecticut, and Kansas argue that Gambaryan’s continued detention is being used as leverage by Nigerian authorities amid ongoing disputes with Binance. They have expressed serious concerns about Gambaryan’s health, as he has been denied treatment for conditions such as malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc, which have led to motor deficits.
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The attorneys have urged the U.S. government to designate Gambaryan a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. This designation would enable the use of additional governmental resources and diplomatic pressure to secure his release.
Additionally, the attorney generals emphasized Gambaryan’s previous service to the U.S. government before joining Binance as the Chief Financial Crime Compliance Officer. His roles included positions as a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a federal agent involved in operations against dark web marketplaces like AlphaBay and Silk Road.
The petition for Gambaryan’s designation as a hostage has been co-signed by attorney generals from multiple states, including New Hampshire, Maine, Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, and Virginia.
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This collective action underscores the urgency and seriousness with which these officials view Gambaryan’s situation, advocating for immediate U.S. government intervention to assist a citizen facing severe legal and health challenges abroad.
The current price of Binance Coin (BNB) is approximately $598.9, showing a modest increase of +0.20%. It recently faced resistance around the $600 mark, suggesting potential bearish pressure if it fails to break higher.
On the downside, support is observed around $584.84, while bullish momentum could push it toward targets of $620 or even $660 if resistance is breached.
