U.S. Lawmaker, French Hill, Calls for the Release of Tigran Gambaryan, the Second Time

A United States lawmaker, Representative French Hill has indicated that the longtime detention of Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria could negatively impact the bilateral relations between the two countries. 

French Hill Demands For Tigran Gambaryan Release

In a video posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account Hill, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the subcommittee overseeing digital assets and financial technology.

He highlighted Gambaryan’s contributions to combating cybercrime, saying that since Tigran has helped America bust many cybercrime rings, it’s time to return the favor.

He said, “I’m surprised Nigeria, a country considered a friend to America, is holding a US citizen in detention over a matter he’s not directly involved in. I urge President Biden to push harder for his release.”

He further stated, “Since Tigran has helped America bust many cybercrime rings, it’s time to return the favour.”

US Embassy To Advocate For The Binance Executive Release

Recall that Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, has been in detention since February and his health has reportedly deteriorated in the infamous Kuje prison where he’s being incarcerated. 

He has now spent over six months in detention facing charges of tax evasion and other financial crimes and Justice Emeka Nwite of Abuja High Court has fixed October 9 to rule on the bail application on medical grounds brought before the court by his lawyers.

Also Read: Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan Spends 200 Days in Nigerian Detention, Family Laments

French Hill went on to question the US Under Secretary for Management, John Bass, on the issue, asking:

“In this administration, we have seen a lot of action on Americans wrongfully detained abroad, and they frequently get a designation.”  

“But suddenly here we have a country like Nigeria, which we removed from the list in the Biden administration on religious freedom issues, signed a commercial and investment partnership with… detaining an American citizen indefinitely.” 

Bass responded saying: “I think we are picking our way through some complicated tangles within the Nigerian system but I am hopeful we are taking out ways to resolve those in the near future. I can assure you that the secretary and deputy secretary, along with myself, are seized with this and doing everything possible to get him out soon.

“We have asked the US Embassy to advocate for the humanitarian release of Gambaryan because of the horrible conditions in the prison, his innocence and his health.”

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