Do Kwon Extradition Decision Is Currently Having Difficulties Before Deadline

Key Points:

• The founder of Terraform Labs challenges the High Court’s decision to extradite him to South Korea or the U.S.
• His appeal complicates Montenegro’s Ministry of Justice’s task of making the Do Kwon extradition decision before the December 15 deadline.

According to Digital Asset, Do Kwon, the founder of Terraform Labs, has lodged an appeal against the extradition decision made by the High Court of Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. 

Do Kwon Extradition Decision Is Meeting Active Opposition From Him

The court order mandates Do Kwon extradition decision to either South Korea or the United States for criminal prosecution amid his legal battles with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

On December 6, the Montenegrin Court of Appeal confirmed that Kwon filed an appeal, stating: “I do not accept the court’s decision to extradite me, so I do not submit to the court’s decision.” Consequently, the Montenegrin Court of Appeals is obliged to reexamine the Do Kwon extradition decision. This development has created a hurdle for the Montenegrin Ministry of Justice, which now faces challenges in reaching a final decision on Kwon’s repatriation destination before the looming deadline of December 15.

Originally, the Montenegrin court had ordered Kwon’s detention for six months, until December 15, allowing the Ministry of Justice to determine his final destination. Kwon’s appeal comes approximately two weeks after the initial decision to extradite him, which was approved by Montenegro’s High Court on November 24. Notably, during the extradition trial, Kwon expressed a preference for being extradited to South Korea, his home country.

The ongoing legal saga has left authorities in a quandary, with uncertainties surrounding whether Kwon will be sent to South Korea or the United States. The final decision rests with the Montenegrin Minister of Justice. As the end of November approached, news circulated that Kwon would not comply with the Do Kwon extradition decision, prompting inquiries from the Montenegrin court, Ministry of Justice, and Kwon’s legal representatives.

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