Two US Members of Congress, Representative French Hill and Representative Chrissy Houlahan, visited Tigran Gambaryan, a detained American citizen, at the Kuje Detention facility in Nigeria on June 19.
The Congress members alleged that Gambaryan was suffering from malaria and double pneumonia, adding that he has been denied medical attention.
They also alleged that Tigran was in wrongful detention on money laundering charges.
Hill noted that Nigeria had dropped tax evasion charges against Gambaryan but urged the US Secretary General and others in authority to secure his release.
“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,” Hill said in the video.
Houlahan also advocated for Gambaryan’s release, describing the conditions at the detention facility as difficult and stressful.
“We did find pretty difficult conditions… he was under, clearly, a lot of stress and his health is not very good.
“I hope we will be able to put the full force of America behind us to make sure that he is returned home safely,” she said.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, called on the Nigerian authorities to drop the remaining charges and release her husband, and urged the US government to intervene more forcefully.
“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,” she said.
The case continued in court on Thursday, with the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cross-examining a witness from the SEC.
US Congress Members Visit Detained Binance Executive In Prison, Call For Release is first published on The Whistler Newspaper