By Chinenye Anuforo
A recent tweet made by US President, Joe Biden, has provoked another round of pleas from the family and well-wishers of Binance’s head of financial crimes, Tigran Gambaryan, who has been incarcerated in Nigeria since February.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and former IRS agent, has been detained in Nigeria on allegations of tax evasion and other financial crimes. His family and supporters argued that the charges were unfounded and that he was being held unjustly.
The plea comes on the heels of President Biden’s July 19 tweet reaffirming his administration’s commitment to bringing home detained Americans. Social media users and concerned citizens have joined the Gambaryan family in urging the President to remember Tigran’s case.
His tweet appears to be in response to a statement credited to former President Donald Trump, threatening countries holding American citizens that” Our hostages had better be back before I assume office, else…”. Trump, the Republican candidate challenging Democrat Kamala Harris in the forthcoming US election, recently headlined the Bitcoin 2024 conference. During his keynote speech, Trump pledged to make the US the “crypto capital of the planet,” contrasting sharply with the Biden administration’s regulatory stance.
However, in response to Biden’s tweet, a popular software engineer, Oludotun Longe @OludotunL, reminded him not to forget the Tigran, who is languishing in detention in Nigeria – “don’t forget about Tigran Gambaryan, Binance Executive! He’s deteriorating” he tweeted.
A close family source revealed that the Gambaryans are doing all they can, to once again, appeal for the unconditional release of their husband, father and son.
The source, who preferred anonymity, said the family believes that through history the word of American Presidents is usually their bond, expressing hope that Biden’s own words will work favourably on the case of Tigran.
“The sad situation with the Binance executive is that his health is said to be failing drastically to the extent he made his last court appearance in a wheelchair.”
The call is one among many that seek the release of Tigran, from Kuje Prison, whose health has been repeatedly reported to need urgent attention.
Recently, some US congressmen, who visited Gambaryan in Prison after a meeting in Nigeria, also urged President Biden to request the Nigerian government to release the former US IRS Agent.
In a letter dated June 4, 2024, about 12 policymakers addressed President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, and expressed grave concerns about the Binance executive’s health and treatment under Nigeria’s custody.
In the letter, The 12 US politicians who are all members of Congress said the manner Gambaryan was arrested and the condition he is putting up with in detention demands Biden’s intervention The congressmen include Rich McCormick, Michael McCaul, Barry Loudermilk, Earl L Buddy Carter, Austin Scot, Randy K Weber Sr, Bill Huizenga, Aumua Ammata Coleman, Ann Wagner, Keith Self, Thomas H Kein jr and French Hill.
Part of the letter said; “The Government of Nigeria took Mr Gambaryan to a government-owned house and held him without communication for five days.”
“In addition, despite a court order on March 12 stating that the remand order had not been extended, Gambaryan’s detention continued unlawfully until new charges were filed.”
The lawmakers also said the conditions of Gambaryan’s detention have been severe. He is held in Kuje Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions, and has faced obstacles in meeting with his legal team without government supervision. More alarmingly, his health has deteriorated significantly.
The letter stated: “He tested positive for malaria, and when he requested hospital treatment, the prison officials declined his request. Mr. Gambaryan’s health and well-being are in danger, and we fear for his life. Immediate action is essential to ensure his safety and preserve his life,” the letter urges.
On May 23, Justice Emeka Nwite issued a court order to move Gambaryan to the hospital from Kuje prison.
The order was made after Tigran collapsed in court. However, the order has not been carried out; and his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, is pleading with the Nigerian authorities to comply with the court order so that Tigran may receive appropriate medical care.