The legal tussle over the extradition of Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon continues as Montenegrin authorities delay his transfer to South Korea, challenging a recent court decision. Two weeks ago, the Podgorica high court ruled in favor of sending Kwon to South Korea, contrary to an earlier US request for his extradition.
Debating Kwon’s Extradition Destination
Kwon and his legal team had expressed preference for a South Korean extradition, banking on more lenient penalties for white-collar crimes compared to the US. Nevertheless, the US Department of Justice has objected to this decision, citing international treaties and local Montenegrin law, complicating the extradition process amidst ongoing charges against Kwon in both countries.
Legal Roadblocks and Procedural Errors
Originally set for March 24th, Kwon’s transfer was stymied by procedural errors identified by the High State Prosecutor’s Office, recommending the case’s elevation to the Supreme Court. The prosecutor’s statement criticized the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court for mismanaging the extradition and exceeding their authority.
Current developments suggest that the final decision on Kwon’s extradition remains open, as Montenegrin officials have yet to reach a consensus. The outcome may pivot towards US extradition, which would align with the Montenegrin government’s prerogatives.
As the Montenegrin Supreme Court has yet to issue a resolution, Kwon’s extradition case remains in limbo, with both South Korean and US authorities awaiting a definitive ruling.