Former U.S. federal agents rally to free Binance exec detained in Nigeria

A group of former US federal prosecutors and agents has called on the US State Department to intervene in efforts to help release Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s chief financial crimes and compliance officer.

Gambaryan is currently detained in Nigeria. He is accused of money laundering and tax evasion.

In the June 6 letter, former government officials criticized what they viewed as “totally incomplete” efforts by the U.S. government and added that further inaction would lead to “dire” consequences.

Gambaryan, who served as a Special Agent for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), was recognized for his time with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to the head of the group, he has worked on numerous cases during his time, from terrorist financing to identity theft; these include high-profile cases such as Silk Road.

“Many of us worked alongside Tigran during these cases and saw firsthand his tireless commitment to the rule of law,” the letter said.

According to the group, the accusations against Gambaryan are “False”. The letter emphasized that his role at Binance did not make him “a suitable representative for the company.”

The letter concluded: “We implore you to use the full power of U.S. diplomacy to do what is just by requesting and securing the immediate release of Tigran to his family and the country he honorably served.”

Gambaryan traveled to Nigeria in January to discuss Binance’s financial compliance.

The letter claimed that Nigerian officials at the time demanded a “substantial payment” to resolve compliance issues. This caused Gambaryan and his colleagues to leave the country, fearing for their safety.

Gambaryan was invited a month later, but his passport was confiscated and he was later arrested.

Amid increasing pressure on the US government, Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris expressed that Nigerian prosecutors are “confident in their case” against the Binance executive.

The minister also rejected allegations that the Nigerian government failed to comply with all legal processes in the case and noted that Binance would be given the “opportunity” to defend itself.

His comments came in response to U.S. lawmakers calling on President Joe Biden to appoint a Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to handle Gambaryan’s case.