Bitrabo Editorial
A group of state attorney generals in the US is urging President Joe Biden to take action regarding the detention of Tigran Gimbrayan, an executive at Binance, by authorities in Nigeria. This plea follows a previous effort by some US lawmakers who expressed worries about Gimbrayan’s reportedly worsening health condition during his detention.
US Officials Request Biden’s Intervention on Tigran’s Detention
In a recent letter sent to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 18 attorney generals raised alarms over the case of Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria for over seven months. The Binance employee, along with his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, was apprehended in February while addressing regulatory matters related to the cryptocurrency exchange. Anjarwalla managed to leave Nigeria in March, but Gimbrayan remains imprisoned as he faces accusations of money laundering and tax evasion tied to his work with Binance. The attorney generals from states including Utah, Connecticut, and Kansas argue that his detention is unjust and is being used as a bargaining chip by Nigerian authorities in their conflict with Binance.
Additionally, the attorney generals noted Gimbrayan’s deteriorating health, stating that he has been denied medical treatment for conditions such as malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc, which have led to physical impairments. They reiterated concerns that if his circumstances do not improve, it could lead to a tragic outcome similar to that of US student Otto Warmbier, who suffered significantly during his detention in North Korea.
Given these serious considerations, the attorney generals are requesting that Biden classify Gimbrayan as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. This designation would empower the government to utilize resources and enhance diplomatic efforts to secure his release.
Call for Protection of Gimbrayan’s Rights by US Attorney Generals
In their appeal for the hostage designation, the attorney generals emphasized Gimbrayan’s prior service to the US government before his role at Binance as Chief Financial Crime Compliance Officer. His history includes being a special agent with the IRS and assisting federal efforts to take down notorious dark web markets like AlphaBay and Silk Road. They urged President Biden to protect an American citizen who has demonstrated exemplary service to law enforcement.
Other states joining this appeal include New Hampshire, Maine, Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, the US Virgin Islands, Vermont, and Virginia.