Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed gratitude for the release of Tigran Gambaryan, head of financial crime compliance at Binance and a former U.S. federal agent, by the Nigerian government. Blinken's statement was shared in an October 24 press release.
"The United States thanks the Government of Nigeria for releasing U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan on medical grounds, allowing him to return to the United States to receive the specialized medical care he requires," said Blinken, according to U.S. Department of State. "This positive outcome demonstrates the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and highlights our shared commitment to working together to advance our common interests. Our close law enforcement cooperation remains a cornerstone of our bilateral relationship, and the United States is committed to working closely with the Government of Nigeria to address mutual concerns and prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens."
According to The New York Times, Gambaryan was detained in Nigeria in February after being invited by Nigerian officials to participate in compliance discussions. He faced charges related to financial crimes and was transferred to Kuje Prison, where his health reportedly deteriorated due to malaria, double pneumonia, and a herniated disc. Following months of diplomatic efforts and international pressure, Nigeria dropped the charges against Gambaryan. On October 24, he returned to the United States on a medically equipped plane. His detention had strained relations between the U.S. and Nigeria; however, with his release, the U.S. has committed to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria.
Federal Newswire reported that in July, Representative Rich McCormick filed a resolution with the House Foreign Affairs Committee urging Nigeria to provide adequate medical treatment for Gambaryan and ensure due process. The resolution also called on the U.S. government to formally declare him as "a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government." It said that Nigerian officials admitted in court that Gambaryan was being tried instead of pursuing legal action against his employer.
Days before Gambaryan's release, a bipartisan group of 18 state attorneys general sent a letter to Blinken and President Joe Biden requesting Gambaryan be designated as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. "Tigran Gambaryan is being held unlawfully by the Nigerian government under potentially life-threatening circumstances," they said in their letter, emphasizing that it was a humanitarian concern rather than a partisan issue.
Gambaryan joined Binance in 2021 as vice president of Global Intelligence and Investigations. Prior to this role, he spent ten years as a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit in Washington, D.C., leading several high-profile cyber investigations including those into AlphaBay and the Mt. Gox hack.
Blinken has served as Deputy Secretary of State since January 2015 according to the State Department website. His previous roles include Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor during the Obama administration and serving on President Clinton’s National Security Council staff.
