The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee has taken significant action by passing a resolution that demands the Nigerian government to release Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, whose health is deteriorating in prison. Gambaryan, who previously served as an agent for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, was detained alongside fellow executive Nadeem Anjarwalla in February amid allegations regarding illegal transaction profits made by Binance in Nigeria.
The resolution, known as H.Res. 1348, was introduced by Republican Representatives Rich McCormick and French Hill in July and was approved by a voice vote during a recent hearing. This legislative measure insists on Gambaryan's immediate release and demands that he receive unrestricted medical care. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. State Department to utilize all available resources to secure his release and officially recognize his status as wrongfully detained.
Gambaryan's family has expressed grave concerns regarding his health, revealing that he is suffering from a herniated disk and has developed pneumonia, leaving him mostly bedridden in custody. Rep. McCormick emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Tigran is suffering, not to mention his wife and two young children waiting at home for his return."
Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, confirmed that the U.S. government has been in communication with Nigerian officials regarding Gambaryan's situation. He expressed disappointment over the lack of response from Nigeria, affirming the importance of continuing to pressure the Nigerian government for action.
The situation of Tigran Gambaryan raises critical concerns about the treatment of American citizens in foreign custody. The U.S. government is actively engaged in seeking his release as the community watches closely.
