The U.S. government is pressing Nigeria to release Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement officer and current employee of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, who was arrested in February and has since faced deteriorating health conditions in prison.
Senior officials from the State Department revealed that Gambaryan’s detention has become a significant point of diplomatic discussion between the two nations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the matter with his Nigerian counterpart in May, and U.S. diplomats, including the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, have been advocating for his release on humanitarian grounds in private meetings with Nigerian officials.
Gambaryan, who reportedly suffers from malaria and a herniated disk, has experienced worsening health while being held in Kuje prison in Abuja, a facility known for its harsh conditions. His family claims he has not received adequate medical treatment.
Gambaryan was arrested while meeting with local officials in Nigeria regarding Binance’s operations in the country. Nigerian authorities have accused Binance of facilitating money laundering and tax evasion, and though the tax charges against Gambaryan have been dropped, other charges remain. Binance has denied the accusations and stated that Gambaryan, a midlevel employee, should not be held accountable for the company’s actions.
In a statement, Nigerian officials said Gambaryan had access to medical care and emphasized that the legal process would determine the outcome of the case. However, U.S. diplomats continue to press for his release, citing concerns over his health and his humanitarian rights. Negotiations between the two governments remain ongoing.
