April

On July 10, 2024, U.S. Representatives Rich McCormick and French Hill submitted a critical resolution to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, pressing for the immediate release of Tigran Gambaryan from imprisonment in Nigeria. 
The resolution details the alarming circumstances surrounding Gambaryan’s detention and underscores his significant contributions as a former Federal agent and current Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance Holdings Limited. 
The resolution outlines several critical points: 
<ul> 
 <li>Detention under hostile conditions: Following the meetings, Gambaryan was escorted by armed guards to his hotel, forced to pack, surrender his passport, and then detained at a Nigerian Government-owned house for five days without communication with his family, company, attorneys, or the U.S. Department of State.</li> 
 <li>Legal and health concerns: Despite a court order expiring on March 12, 2024, which should have mandated his release, Gambaryan was charged with various crimes and transferred to Kuje Prison on April 5, 2024. This prison is notorious for harsh conditions and also houses members of the terrorist group Boko Haram. Reports from the U.S. Department of State have highlighted significant human rights abuses in Nigerian prisons, including inhuman treatment and degrading conditions.</li> 
 <li>Health decline: Gambaryan’s health has deteriorated significantly during his detention. He tested positive for malaria and has struggled to receive proper medical care, despite a judge’s order for hospital treatment. Requests for doctor visits have been slow, and during court appearances, he has been visibly unwell, collapsing on one occasion.</li> 
 <li>Judicial irregularities: Gambaryan’s case has been fraught with legal irregularities, including lengthy delays, stalling tactics by the prosecution, and violations of due process. Despite the closure of his tax-related case and the dropping of charges by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission continues to pursue charges against him.</li> 
 <li>Congressional and legal advocacy: A congressional delegation visited Gambaryan on June 20, 2024, expressing deep concern over his treatment. Despite repeated efforts, including directives from judges for the release of medical records and proper medical treatment, Gambaryan’s situation remains dire.</li> 
</ul> 
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 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="400" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tigran-Gambaryan.png" alt="Tigran Gambaryan" class="wp-image-233314">
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 Tigran Gambaryan in court
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</div> 
The resolution articulates several critical demands aimed at securing Tigran Gambaryan’s release and ensuring his well-being while in detention: 
<ol> 
 <li>Immediate release: The resolution urges the Government of Nigeria to release Tigran Gambaryan from imprisonment without delay.</li> 
 <li>U.S. Government action: It calls on the U.S. Government to utilise all available resources to secure Tigran’s release and to consistently raise his case in all diplomatic interactions with the Nigerian Government.</li> 
 <li>Formal declaration: The resolution requests that the U.S. Government formally declare Tigran Gambaryan as a “U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government” under section 302(a) of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741(a)).</li> 
 <li>Consular access: It demands that Nigeria provide full, unfettered, and consistent consular access to Tigran Gambaryan in accordance with its international obligations.</li> 
 <li>Medical access: The resolution insists on unrestricted medical access for Tigran Gambaryan, ensuring he receives all necessary medical care, including prescriptions and antimalarials.</li> 
 <li>Due process and human rights: It calls for the Nigerian Government to afford Tigran Gambaryan and all other political prisoners their constitutionally guaranteed due process rights and universally recognised human rights.</li> 
 <li>Solidarity with families: The resolution expresses sympathy for and solidarity with Tigran Gambaryan’s family and all other U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents wrongfully detained abroad, acknowledging the personal hardships experienced due to the arbitrary and baseless arrest and detention of their loved ones.</li> 
</ol> 
In a heartfelt statement, Tigran Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, conveyed her deep concern for her husband’s health and her appreciation for the efforts being made to secure his release: 
<div class="wp-block-image"> 
 <figure class="aligncenter size-full">
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="399" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-32.png" alt="Tigran Gambaryan" class="wp-image-233545">
 <figcaption class="wp-element-caption">
 Tigran Gambaryan
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
</div> 
“I am deeply concerned about my husband’s declining health. I just want him home so he can get the proper medical care he desperately needs and so that he can heal. I appreciate the Congressional focus on obtaining Tigran’s immediate release from custody in Nigeria and Representative McCormick’s continued attention to Tigran’s plight. I hope the US government’s involvement will expedite the process of getting him released”, she said in a statement. 
The full text of the resolution can be viewed <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/1348/text" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. 
However, regarding Gambaryan’s health, the <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/07/05/gambaryan-not-sick-prison-service-says/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) assured that the Binance executive is in good health</a>, countering allegations from his family regarding his deteriorating condition. 
“Gambaryan is fine with us, and he will continue to be fine with us,” Abubakar reiterated, aiming to dispel any worries about the Binance executive’s wellbeing.

Tigran Gambaryan: US Congress members submit resolution for release of detained Binance executive

Technext.ng

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