Two members of the United States Congress, Representative French Hill (Republican) and Representative Chrissy Houlahan (Democrat) have called for the release of detained American citizen Tigran Gambaryan at the Kuje Detention facility
The lawmakers visited Gambatyan on June 19th 2024 and have posted a video on social media calling for his release.
Their visit was sequel to a statement from wife of the detained businessman Yuki Gambaryan on behalf of Tigran Gambaryan’s family.
She had called on the the US government to intervene in her husband’s case, saying “Since the FIRS charges were dropped last week and they agreed to serve those charges solely on Binance, I do not see why the EFCC cannot do the same. It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and let my innocent husband go.
“I am also once again calling on the US government to intervene more forcefully. Tigran’s and my own tax dollars get sent to Nigeria in aid every year. Nigeria is supposed to be an ally. I refuse to believe that our State Department cannot do more to have an innocent American citizen released.”
According to Representative Hill’s X account: “Yesterday, @RepHoulahan and I visited with US citizen Tigran Gambaryan in Kuje Prison in Nigeria. We found him suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight. Even worse, he’s being denied access to adequate medical attention.
“Although I am pleased that Nigeria dropped tax evasion charges against Tigran on 6/14, it’s my view that he’s being wrongfully detained on charges related to money laundering.
“Tigran has devoted his professional life to fighting money laundering and tax evasion, having spent ten years as an IRS Special Agent where he successfully led cyber and financial crime investigations.
“Further, at the time of his arrest, he was working as a contract employee at Binance and was instrumental in criminal investigations and compliance in cooperation with Nigerian authorities.”
