A group of former United States federal prosecutors and agents have called on the U.S. Department of State to intervene in the case of Tigran Gambaryan, the head of financial crimes and compliance at Binance, who is currently detained in Nigeria. Gambaryan faces charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
In a letter dated June 6, these ex-government officials criticized the U.S. government’s response, describing it as “wholly lacking” and warning that further inaction could have “dire” consequences. Gambaryan, a former Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), was recognized for his extensive work on cases involving terrorism financing and identity theft, including the high-profile Silk Road investigation.
“Several of us worked alongside Tigran during these cases and saw his tireless devotion to the rule of law firsthand,” the letter stated.
The group contends that the charges against Gambaryan are “false” and emphasized that his role at Binance should not make him a scapegoat for the company’s issues. They urged the U.S. government to “leverage the full power of U.S. diplomacy” to secure Gambaryan’s immediate release and return to his family and country.
The letter also revealed that Nigerian officials had allegedly demanded a “substantial payment” to resolve compliance issues, prompting Gambaryan and his colleagues to leave the country due to safety concerns. Gambaryan returned to Nigeria a month later, only to have his passport confiscated and subsequently be arrested.
As pressure mounts on the U.S. government, Nigerian Minister of Information Mohammed Idris has stated that Nigerian prosecutors are “confident in their case” against Gambaryan. He dismissed claims that the Nigerian government had not followed due process and assured that Binance would have the opportunity to defend itself.
Idris’s comments came in response to U.S. lawmakers urging President Joe Biden to appoint the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to handle Gambaryan’s case.
Summary Review: The case of Tigran Gambaryan highlights the complex intersection of international law, corporate compliance, and diplomatic relations. As former U.S. federal agents rally for his release, the pressure on the U.S. government to act intensifies. Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities remain firm in their stance, confident in their legal process. This situation underscores the need for clear, fair, and transparent legal proceedings in the global landscape of cryptocurrency regulation and enforcement.
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