Attorneys general urge Biden to secure release of ex-federal agent from Nigeria: 'It is miraculous that he has managed to survive'

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New York Attorney General Letitia James (left) and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (right) called for the release of Tigran Gambaryan from Nigeria | X/TishJames, X/JasonMiyaresVA

A bipartisan group of 18 state attorneys general has called on President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to secure the release of Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan from a Nigerian prison. The attorneys general shared their statement in an October 18 letter.

In the letter, the attorneys general urged Biden and Blinken to designate Tigran Gambaryan as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. Gambaryan, a former federal agent and current Binance employee, is reportedly being held in a Nigerian prison under dire circumstances. They emphasized his contributions to U.S. national security, stating, "Gambaryan’s contributions to U.S. national security and global law enforcement cannot be overstated, and his current situation demands immediate action by the federal government." The attorneys general highlighted Gambaryan's work in dismantling major criminal organizations, including what they described as the largest child pornography ring ever discovered, and his efforts to improve regulatory compliance at Binance.

According to the attorneys general, Gambaryan's detention is unjust and politically motivated. They allege that Nigerian authorities are using him as leverage in a dispute with Binance. "It has become evident that Nigerian authorities are using Gambaryan’s detention as leverage in their dispute with his employer," they said. The letter detailed harsh conditions of Gambaryan's imprisonment, including exposure to violent extremists and denial of medical treatment for malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc. They drew parallels to the case of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died after being detained in North Korea.

The attorneys general expressed concern over an imminent threat to Gambaryan's life due to his failing health and the nature of his fellow inmates. "It is miraculous that he has managed to survive the past months enduring such conditions," they said. They called on Biden and Blinken to utilize all available resources to bring Gambaryan home: "The United States cannot falter in its responsibility to its citizens, especially those like Gambaryan, who have sacrificed so much to defend it." They warned that failure to act would not only abandon a dedicated law enforcement officer but also undermine the U.S. government's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.

Gambaryan was unable to attend his scheduled court appearance on October 18 due to health issues, according to The Nigerian Lawyer. Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged him with money laundering. A representative from the prison where he is held informed the judge that Gambaryan "is very sick, and we will not be able to produce him in court today." Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter until October 25.

The attorneys general who signed the letter include representatives from Utah, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont; Virginia; as well as from the U.S. Virgin Islands.