The extradition saga of Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon has taken yet another turn, as a Montenegro court’s decision to send him to South Korea instead of the United States is now under scrutiny for potential legal violations. The controversy has sparked a wave of speculation, casting doubt on Montenegro’s legal proceedings and raising questions about the motives behind the ruling.
Legal Concerns Over Extradition Process
Montenegro’s Supreme State Prosecutor has filed a request for “protection of legality” after the country’s High Court and Appellate Court ruled that Kwon be extradited to his native South Korea. Supreme Court Acting President Vesna Vučković, speaking with local media agency Vijesti, confirmed that the request is under review. The prosecutor alleges that the courts may have violated the law in allowing Kwon’s extradition to South Korea, instead of the U.S.
Vučković explained that the court has postponed Kwon’s extradition while it reviews the prosecutor’s allegations. She further stated that the Supreme Court has faced “objective reasons” for not yet scheduling a session to address the prosecutor’s concerns.
“The implications of this decision are significant,” Vučković warned, noting that the ruling could set a dangerous precedent for Montenegro’s judicial system. If the Supreme Court finds that Kwon’s case was handled improperly, it could fuel perceptions of favoritism and damage the country’s legal credibility.
High-Stakes Battle Between Courts
Since March 2023, Kwon has been embroiled in a legal back-and-forth in Montenegro, making more than 20 court appearances. Despite several rulings in favor of Kwon’s extradition to the U.S., South Korea has also seen its extradition requests approved multiple times. In total, Montenegro courts have approved Kwon’s extradition to the U.S. twice and to South Korea four times, yet five of these decisions have been overturned on appeal.
The prosecutor’s latest request argues that the High Court and Appellate Court overstepped their bounds in the final judgments. The legal battles have delayed Kwon’s actual extradition, keeping him confined to the Balkan nation as the controversy rages on.
Conflict of Interest Allegations
The unfolding legal drama is further complicated by allegations of potential conflicts of interest. Prime Minister Dritan Abazović has faced accusations of having ties to Terraform Labs. Reports claim that Abazović invested $75,000 into the company, purchasing 750,000 LUNA tokens, leading some to speculate about undue influence in Kwon’s case.
These allegations, though unproven, have added fuel to the fire, casting a shadow over Montenegro’s legal system. Critics argue that the prime minister’s alleged involvement in the cryptocurrency project could signal a broader issue of corruption within the government.
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With the Supreme Court’s review of the prosecutor’s request pending, Kwon’s fate remains uncertain. If the court finds that legal violations occurred in the extradition decision, it could overturn the ruling, potentially opening the door for Kwon’s extradition to the U.S. instead.
For now, Kwon remains in legal limbo, while Montenegro’s judicial integrity hangs in the balance. The outcome of this high-profile case will not only determine Kwon’s future but also shape perceptions of Montenegro’s handling of international legal matters.
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