US Representative James Hill (R-AR) has warned that the prolonged detention of Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria could jeopardise bilateral relations between the two countries.
Hill made this known in a statement via his verified X handle on Tuesday.
He wrote, “I’m surprised Nigeria, a country considered a friend to America, is holding a US citizen in detention over a matter he’s not directly involved in. I urge President Biden to push harder for his release.”
Hill, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the subcommittee overseeing digital assets and financial technology, emphasized Gambaryan’s contributions to combating cybercrime.
According to him, Tigran has helped America bust many cybercrime rings and It’s time to return the favour.
This comes as Gambaryan’s case continues to linger, with many calling for his immediate release.
Gambaryan has spent six months in detention, facing charges of tax evasion and other financial crimes in Nigeria.
However, this is not the first time Hill is making a strong case for Gambaryan, urging Biden’s government to put more effort towards getting him out of detention.
In June, Hill and another lawmaker Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, Democrat, representing Pennyslyvania, had called for the release of the Binance Executive.
The lawmakers said they called for his release due to the condition they met him in prison when they visited him.
“We have asked the U.S. embassy to advocate for the humanitarian release of Gambaryan because of the horrible conditions in the prison, his innocence and his health.
“We have a taskforce in Congress that is on Americans wrongfully detained abroad, or held hostage. Clearly in our view, Tigran fits in that camp,” Hill and Houlahan stated.