A group of over 100 former US prosecutors and federal agents has written to the US Department of State, urging the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained in Nigeria. Gambaryan, a former special agent with the IRS, was arrested in Nigeria on allegations of tax evasion and money laundering, which his colleagues claim are false.
The letter, addressed to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, states that Gambaryan’s detention is unjust and that the US government’s efforts to secure his release have been insufficient. The group highlights Gambaryan’s service to the US government, including his work on high-profile cases involving child pornography, identity theft, and terror financing.
Gambaryan was arrested in Nigeria in February, along with another Binance executive, Nardeem Anjarwalla, after a meeting with Nigerian authorities turned sour. While Anjarwalla was able to escape to Kenya, Gambaryan remains in detention and has been denied bail.
The Nigerian government has accused Binance of money laundering and tax evasion, and has blamed cryptocurrencies for the poor performance of the Naira. However, the former prosecutors and federal agents argue that Gambaryan is innocent and that his detention is a miscarriage of justice.
The letter is the latest in a series of efforts by US officials to secure Gambaryan’s release. Earlier this week, 12 US politicians and members of Congress wrote to President Joe Biden, urging him to intervene in the matter.
