The Digital Chamber, a blockchain industry advocacy organization, stated that the Nigerian government's arrest of Binance employee and former U.S. federal agent Tigran Gambaryan "threatens all crypto professionals." The Chamber shared its statement in a July 12 post on X.
"Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, #crypto compliance officer, & former U.S. law enforcement official, is currently detained in Nigeria," said the Digital Chamber. "His safety is at serious risk, and he has significant health issues. This arrest threatens all crypto professionals. Help us #BringTigranHome."
U.S. Representative Rich McCormick, whose district encompasses Gambaryan's hometown of Suwanee, Georgia, filed a resolution on July 10 with the House Foreign Affairs Committee "urging the Nigerian government to immediately release Tigran Gambaryan from imprisonment." According to the resolution, Gambaryan spent more than 10 years as an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent, during which he investigated crimes and seized more than $4 million in "illicit funds" on behalf of the U.S. government. As head of financial crime compliance for the crypto exchange Binance, Gambaryan was invited by the Nigerian government to travel to Nigeria for compliance discussions. The meetings became "increasingly hostile," and Gambaryan was detained on February 26.
According to the resolution, Gambaryan was not able to communicate with his family, employer, or the U.S. State Department for the first five days of his detainment. After the court order to detain Gambaryan expired, he was held without legal basis from March 12 to April 5 until he was charged with crimes including tax evasion and money laundering. At that time, Gambaryan was transferred to Kuje Prison, "which is known for its harsh conditions." Nigerian government officials "admitted openly in court that Tigran is being tried in lieu of pursuing legal action" against Binance. His health is now deteriorating, and he is not receiving adequate treatment. He collapsed in court and has tested positive for malaria.
McCormick urged the Nigerian government to immediately release Gambaryan from imprisonment, "provide full, unfettered, and consistent consular access" to him while he remains detained, "swiftly" provide him with adequate medical care, provide him his "constitutionally afforded due process rights and universally recognized human rights," and express solidarity with his wife and family. McCormick also urged the U.S. government to "utilize all resources available" to secure Gambaryan's release, press the Nigerian government for his release, and declare him a "U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government."
The U.S. State Department's 2023 report on human rights in Nigeria said there are "significant human rights issues" in Nigeria. The report cited "credible reports of" instances of "harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest or detention; serious problems with the independence of the judiciary," and "serious government corruption."
The Digital Chamber advocates for policies supporting innovation and adoption in the blockchain industry, according to its website. Members of the Chamber include Aon, Deloitte, Fidelity Investments (Fidelity), Crypto.com, Baker McKenzie LLP (Baker McKenzie), and Ripple Labs Inc (Ripple).