Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has called on President Joe Biden to secure the release of former U.S. federal agent Tigran Gambaryan from a Nigerian prison, citing concerns over his deteriorating health. Skrmetti shared this statement in an October 18 post on X.
"Tigran Gambaryan's unlawful detention not only represents a grave injustice but also poses a direct threat to his life," said Skrmetti. "He's in imminent danger from both inmates and his own health. The AGs of America urge @POTUS not to falter in his responsibility to our U.S. citizens who sacrifice so much to defend it, and secure the release of Tigran from Nigerian imprisonment."
According to Skrmetti, he was among 18 state attorneys general who sent a letter on October 18 to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The letter urged the administration to work towards Gambaryan's release from Nigerian custody. The attorneys general requested that the State Department designate Gambaryan "as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act," which they believe would "unlock critical resources and apply additional diplomatic pressure" for his immediate release.
CoinDesk reported that Gambaryan had been invited by Nigerian government officials to Abuja in February for compliance discussions. However, he was accused by Nigerian authorities of devaluing the naira and placed under house arrest. Subsequently, Gambaryan faced charges of financial crimes and was transferred to Kuje prison, where his health has reportedly worsened. He contracted malaria in May, collapsed in court, and was later seen being pushed into a courtroom in a wheelchair due to a herniated disc in his back. His wife has expressed concerns about "permanent damage" unless he receives appropriate medical care.
The bipartisan letter from the attorneys general described it as "miraculous" that Gambaryan "has managed to survive" given his declining health and the conditions at Kuje prison, which is said to be "inhabited by extremists, terrorists and brutal criminals who are hostile to the United States." They highlighted strong bipartisan concern over Gambaryan's well-being, noting reports from members of Congress, his lawyers, and humanitarian agencies about his condition being ravaged by malaria and other ailments.
The letter also emphasized Gambaryan's significant contributions to U.S. national security and global law enforcement prior to joining Binance. As a special agent for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), he played a pivotal role in dismantling 'Welcome to Video,' the largest child pornography ring ever discovered, as well as investigations into dark web marketplaces involved in drug trafficking, human exploitation, weapons trading, and terrorism financing—activities that posed direct threats to U.S. national security.
Skrmetti has served as Tennessee Attorney General since 2022. His previous roles include federal prosecutor, partner at Butler Snow LLP, Chief Counsel to Governor Bill Lee, and Chief Deputy Attorney General under former Attorney General Herbert Slatery.
