A group of attorneys general from 18 US states has appealed to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to recognize Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan as a hostage. This appeal was announced by New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella.

“In light of Gambaryan’s unlawful detention in Nigeria, I support the call for the Biden administration to recognize him as a hostage. Gambaryan is a dedicated public servant whose imprisonment poses a threat to his health and violates his rights,” Formella stated.

He also urged the US government to act decisively to ensure Tigran Gambaryan’s safe return to his family.

Gambaryan, who worked at the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 2011 to 2021, was arrested alongside Binance’s West and East Africa Director, Nadim Anjarwalla, in February 2024. Nigerian authorities accused them of tax evasion and money laundering. Both executives and Binance deny the allegations. Subsequently, Anjarwalla fled to Kenya but was later extradited back to Nigeria.

“We must protect US citizens abroad and apply diplomatic pressure for his release,” Formella added.

According to human rights advocates, the conditions of Gambaryan’s detention in a Nigerian prison have significantly worsened his health. In May 2024, a court denied him bail, and since then, his health has deteriorated due to spinal issues and infectious diseases such as pneumonia and malaria.

In the summer of 2024, US House Representatives French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan visited Gambaryan in prison and confirmed that he was not receiving adequate medical care, although Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, denied these claims.

His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, has called on the US State Department to intervene in the case. She believes this is their last hope to bring her husband home. In September 2024, the top executive appeared at a court hearing on crutches after being denied a wheelchair.

Notably, in October, a Nigerian court again refused Tigran Gambaryan bail, despite his deteriorating condition.