Montenegro’s Court of Appeals again overturned Do Kwon’s extradition.
A Montenegrin court annulled Do Kwon's extradition, citing procedural violations. Former Terra CFO Han Chang-joon was extradited to South Korea after his sentence in Montenegro. The US SEC trial has been postponed, giving clues as to the legal extradition process.
In a significant development, an appeals court in Montenegro overturned a decision to extradite Terra co-founder Do Kwon to South Korea and the United States. This decision follows a series of legal battles and extradition attempts caused by lawsuits related to the collapse of Terra Stable Coin. The Montenegrin Court of Appeal followed a similar decision in November 2023 before the Montenegrin High Court approved Do Kou's extradition request for a second time in December.
Meanwhile, Kwon's former CFO Han Chang-joon was extradited to South Korea, where he faces life imprisonment.
Introducing Do Kwon is incomprehensible
In upholding an appeal against the extradition of Do Quon's second man, the Court of Appeal cited a violation of the provisions of the High Criminal Procedure Code. The appeals court said the decision to extradite Kwon was incomprehensible and failed to adequately deal with extradition requests from South Korea and the United States.
The Court of Appeal explained that extradition decisions in criminal cases under the International Legal Assistance Act should not be made by the courts, but by the Minister of Justice. This decision marks an important step forward in the fight against extradition against Kwon, offering hope for a fair trial and due process.
The case has now been sent back to the court of first instance for a retrial, indicating that the case may rest on the legal battle.
Former Terra CFO transferred to South Korea
While Kwon's extradition battle continues, former CFO Han Chang-joon has been extradited to South Korea after serving a prison sentence in Montenegro.
Chang-joon was caught trying to leave the country with Kwon in March 2023 and is now facing a life sentence in South Korea. His extradition underscores the severity of the legal ramifications associated with the Terra-LUNA crisis, which rocked the crypto market with a staggering $60 billion in losses.
In parallel, the extension of the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) civil trial against Terraform Labs and Kwon signals further legal action. The delay may have been aimed at facilitating Kwon's extradition from Montenegro, indicating a complex interplay between legal powers and regulatory measures.
The outcome of the battle to extradite Do Kwon is uncertain. However, these recent developments underscore the high stakes for Kwon, Terra, and the broader cryptocurrency industry amid heightened regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges.
