Key Points
- 18 state attorneys general have sent a bipartisan letter to President Biden, calling for the hostage designation of Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement official now working in crypto, who is being unlawfully detained in Nigeria.
- Gambaryan’s health has severely deteriorated while in a Nigerian prison, and the Nigerian government failed to produce him for a scheduled court proceeding, raising urgent concerns about his well-being and whereabouts.
Former IRS Agent Turned Crypto Executive Faces Peril in Nigerian Detention
In a striking display of bipartisan cooperation, 18 state attorneys general have collectively appealed to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken to designate Tigran Gambaryan as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and former IRS special agent, is currently being held without formal charges in Nigeria, where he had traveled to discuss crypto market policing strategies.
Urgent Action Required as Health Concerns Mount
The attorneys general emphasize the critical nature of Gambaryan’s situation, citing his rapidly deteriorating health and the Nigerian government’s failure to produce him for a scheduled court appearance. Attorney General John M. Formella of New Hampshire stated, “We must act decisively to ensure his safe return to his family before it’s too late”.
From Law Enforcement to Crypto Compliance
Gambaryan’s career trajectory from IRS special agent to compliance executive at Binance, a major cryptocurrency exchange, highlights the evolving intersection of traditional finance, cryptocurrency, and law enforcement. His detention has raised concerns about the risks faced by those working to bridge regulatory gaps in the rapidly evolving crypto sector.
Implications for U.S.-Nigeria Relations and Crypto Regulation
This case could have far-reaching implications for U.S.-Nigeria diplomatic relations and international cooperation in cryptocurrency regulation. The bipartisan nature of the appeal underscores the gravity of the situation and the unified stance of state-level law enforcement officials on protecting U.S. citizens working abroad in the crypto industry.
As the situation continues to develop, all eyes are on the Biden administration’s response to this urgent appeal for Gambaryan’s designation as a hostage, a move that could significantly increase diplomatic pressure for his release.
