Richard Weber, a former chief of IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), has called for the U.S. government to intensify efforts to secure the release of Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan from a Nigerian prison. Weber made his remarks during an October 3 podcast.

"Tigran is a hostage," said Weber. "He did nothing wrong. He is sitting in prison for a crime that he did not commit. The U.S. government needs to step up, and step up now."

According to CoinDesk, Nigerian officials had invited Gambaryan in February to participate in compliance discussions. However, he was subsequently detained and charged with financial crimes. Reports indicate that Gambaryan's health has deteriorated significantly while in prison, suffering from malaria and an untreated herniated disc. Congressman Rich McCormick believes Gambaryan is being held "hostage" as a means to "punish" Binance and asserts that the U.S. should leverage its influence over Nigeria for his release.

Last week, Reuters reported that a Nigerian judge denied Gambaryan's bail application for the second time. Despite claims from his attorneys about inadequate medical treatment and the need for surgery, the judge maintained that the prison could meet his medical needs. In a statement, Gambaryan's wife expressed concern over potential permanent damage due to his condition: "I just pray that when he is finally released that the damage he is suffering is not permanent."

In July, McCormick filed a resolution with the House Foreign Affairs Committee urging Nigeria to release Gambaryan. The resolution highlighted Gambaryan's decade-long service as an IRS-CI special agent before joining Binance and described Kuje Prison's harsh conditions where he is detained. McCormick claimed Nigerian officials admitted in court that Gambaryan was being tried instead of pursuing legal action against Binance. He urged the U.S. government to formally declare Gambaryan as "wrongfully detained" and demanded adequate medical care and due process for him.

CoinDesk also reported that Congress members French Hill (R-Ark.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) visited Gambaryan in June. Hill described Kuje Prison as "horrible," noting significant weight loss and lack of medical treatment for malaria and double pneumonia experienced by Gambaryan: "We have a taskforce in Congress on Americans wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage," Hill said after their visit.

Weber currently serves as a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP and has held several prominent positions, including General Counsel of the NYS Department of Financial Services and head of the Money Laundering Section at the U.S. Department of Justice.