In a pressing appeal to the White House, a group of US lawmakers has urged President Joe Biden to take immediate action in the case of Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen and Binance executive detained in Nigeria since February. The lawmakers, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, expressed grave concern over Gambaryan's health and well-being, citing the "baseless" charges of money laundering leveled against him as a coercion tactic by the Nigerian government.

In a letter addressed to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens, the lawmakers argued that Gambaryan's detention meets the criteria for a wrongful detention by a foreign government under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. They emphasized the need for swift action to ensure Gambaryan's safe release and return to the United States.

Gambaryan, who heads Binance's financial compliance unit, has been held in Nigeria for over three months, facing charges of money laundering allegedly worth $35 million. The lawmakers contend that these charges are unfounded and serve only as a means for the Nigerian government to extort his employer. They stressed that Gambaryan's continued detention poses a significant threat to his health and well-being, necessitating immediate intervention by the US government.

The lawmakers' appeal to President Biden underscores the gravity of Gambaryan's situation and the need for diplomatic efforts to secure his release. As a US citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government, Gambaryan's case warrants urgent attention and action from the highest levels of government. The lawmakers' call to action echoes the concerns of Gambaryan's family and colleagues, who have been advocating for his release and return home.