108 former prosecutors, feds echo calls to rescue Binance exec in Nigeria
More than 100 former US federal prosecutors and agents have put their names to a letter urging the US State Department to release Binance's head of financial crimes and compliance in Nigeria, Tigran Gambarian.
“The U.S. government's efforts thus far have been completely lacking, and the consequences of not taking further action would be dire,” declared a June 6 letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
A group of former government officials recognized Gambarian for his ten years of service as a special agent for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
“Many of us have worked with Tigray on these issues and seen firsthand his commitment to the rule of law,” he said, before listing cases he has worked on in the past, from child pornography and terrorism financing to identity theft and even more. Silk Road Public Corruption Cases”.
Gambarian is a “mid-level” executive.
The group says Tigra is now in prison on “false charges” related to money laundering and tax evasion, and his position at Binance should not see him take responsibility for the company's actions.
“He is completely innocent of these charges and, as a mid-level employee at Binance, does not hold a role that would make him a favorable position for the company,” he wrote.
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In January, Tigran, along with other Binance employees, traveled to Nigeria to discuss financial compliance with Nigerian authorities.
After the meeting, the Nigerian authorities approached them asking for a “real payment” to solve the complete issues related to Binance.
Concerned for their safety, they soon left the country. However, after a month, Tigran was reportedly invited back to his country and “his passport was taken away and he was arrested”.
In February, the Nigerian government arrested Gambarian and Nadeem Anjarwala on suspicion of money laundering and tax evasion. Anjarwala escaped from prison and fled to Kenya, while Gambarian remains in Kuje prison in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
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