The Appellate Court in Montenegro Cancels Do Kwon’s Extradition Approval
The Appellate Court in Montenegro has overturned the approval of the extradition of Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs. The court accepted the appeal from Kwon’s defense attorneys and annulled the previous decision made by the High Court on November 17. The Appeals Court stated that there were issues in the legal process, particularly the lack of clear reasons and facts in the High Court’s decision.
Specifically, the court mentioned procedural issues with how the investigating judge handled the U.S. extradition request. It noted that Do Kwon was not properly informed of the reasons and evidence for the request, nor was he given an opportunity to present his defense as required by law. As a result, the case has been sent back to the initial court for a retrial.
Terra Ecosystem Collapse
Do Kwon’s extradition was sought for charges related to financial crimes in both the U.S. and South Korea, stemming from the collapse of the Terra ecosystem in May 2022. Bloomberg reported that his detention in Montenegro has been extended until February 15 at the request of the U.S. and South Korea while his extradition appeal is ongoing.
Previously, The Wall Street Journal reported that Do Kwon would be extradited to the U.S., citing anonymous sources who revealed Montenegro’s Justice Minister’s plans in closed-door discussions. In March, Kwon was arrested in Montenegro for using a fake passport to leave the country but was released on bail pending trial. He was later sentenced to four months in prison for document forgery.
Hot Take: Do Kwon’s Extradition Decision Overturned
The Appellate Court’s decision to cancel Do Kwon’s extradition approval in Montenegro highlights issues in the legal process and the failure of the investigating judge to adhere to proper procedures. While the South Korean request for extradition seemed to be processed correctly, there were significant procedural flaws in handling the U.S. request. As a result, the case will be retried in the initial court.
This development adds further uncertainty to the ongoing saga surrounding Do Kwon and the collapse of the Terra ecosystem. The financial crimes he is charged with in both the U.S. and South Korea have significant implications, as they are related to the multi-billion dollar loss suffered by investors in May 2022. The outcome of this retrial will determine whether Do Kwon will face extradition and potential prosecution in either country.
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