A chorus of over 100 former United States federal prosecutors and agents is amplifying calls for the U.S. Department of State to intervene in securing the release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial crimes and compliance, currently detained in Nigeria.

In a sternly worded letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 6, the coalition of former government officials underscored the urgency of the situation, highlighting the potentially grave consequences of inaction.

The letter commended Gambaryan's extensive service to the nation as a Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), citing his unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law across a spectrum of high-profile cases, including child pornography, terrorism financing, and identity theft.

Expressing concern over Gambaryan's current predicament, the former prosecutors and agents denounced the charges against him as false, emphasizing his innocence in relation to allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. They emphasized that his position at Binance does not warrant holding him accountable for the company's actions.

The sequence of events leading to Gambaryan's arrest paints a troubling picture. In January, during discussions with Nigerian officials regarding financial compliance, Gambaryan and his Binance colleagues were reportedly approached by Nigerian authorities demanding a substantial payment to address compliance issues. Fearing for their safety, they promptly left the country. However, Gambaryan was unexpectedly invited back to Nigeria a month later, where he was detained and had his passport confiscated.

While Gambaryan remains in custody at the Kuje correctional center in Abuja, his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, managed to evade arrest and fled to Kenya.

The coalition of former federal prosecutors and agents is urging swift action from the U.S. government to secure Gambaryan's release, emphasizing the critical importance of upholding justice and protecting the rights of individuals caught in precarious situations abroad.