On October 18, Attorney General John Formella joined a bipartisan group of seventeen other state attorneys general in urging the Biden Administration to designate U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan as a hostage under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.
"In light of the alarming circumstances surrounding Tigran Gambaryan’s unlawful detention in Nigeria, I stand with my fellow attorneys general in calling on the Biden Administration to designate him as a hostage," Formella said. "Mr. Gambaryan is a dedicated public servant who has devoted his life to upholding the law and protecting American values. His continued detention without cause is not only a violation of his rights but also poses a severe risk to his health and well-being."
Gambaryan is a former Special Agent with the IRS with a career in international law enforcement. After transitioning to the private sector, he joined Binance, a global cryptocurrency exchange, where he applied his law enforcement experience to align the company’s practices with U.S. legal standards.
Earlier this year, Gambaryan traveled to Nigeria at the invitation of local officials to advise on policing cryptocurrency markets. Upon arrival, he was arrested without cause, had his passport confiscated, and has since been detained without formal charges. His health has deteriorated, with reports indicating he is suffering from life-threatening medical conditions.
His trial, which was adjourned to October 25, has been delayed due to his illness, prompting calls from his legal team and family for his release on medical grounds. A Nigerian court recently denied him bail for the second time, despite pleas from his defense that he requires surgery and cannot receive adequate care in detention.
However, on October 23, the Nigerian Government said they were dropping all charges against Gambaryan after his nearly 8 month detention.
"I just pray that when he is finally released that the damage he is suffering is not permanent. I am exhausted and deeply disappointed," said Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki.
A hostage designation under the Levinson Act would activate resources and apply diplomatic pressure to expedite Mr. Gambaryan's release. The bipartisan group of attorneys general is unified in its commitment to bringing Mr. Gambaryan home safely to his family.
A 2024 Foley Foundation report indicated that almost 8 in 10 U.S. nationals that are captive are detained wrongfully by foreign governments.
