- Montenegro’s court approves the extradition of Terra founder Do Kwon to either South Korea or the United States.
- The decision on Kwon’s extradition destination rests with Montenegro’s Justice Minister after his document forgery sentence.
- “A pivotal moment in the Terra case,” says a legal expert on the extradition decision.
The court in Montenegro has made a crucial decision to extradite Do Kwon, embroiled in the Terra controversy, leaving the final destination between the US and South Korea to be decided by the Justice Minister.
Approval of Extradition by Montenegro Court
The High Court in Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital, has granted approval for the extradition of Do Kwon, the Terra ecosystem founder. Both the United States and South Korea are vying for his extradition, leaving the decision in the hands of Montenegro’s Justice Minister. This development follows Kwon’s arrest for attempting to use falsified documents to fly to Dubai.
Kwon and Associate’s Legal Troubles
Kwon, alongside associate Han Chang-Joon, faced arrest and subsequent sentencing to four months in jail on forgery charges. Despite attempts to appeal the conviction, the court upheld the guilty verdict, setting the stage for extradition proceedings.
Possible Extradition to South Korea
While Kwon has agreed to be deported to South Korea under an abbreviated procedure, the final decision on his extradition will be made by Montenegro’s justice minister. This decision will come into effect after Kwon completes his sentence for document forgery. South Korea has charged Kwon with violations of the Capital Markets Acts, issuing an arrest warrant in September 2022.
US and South Korea: The Battle for Extradition
The United States has also indicted Kwon with multiple charges, including securities fraud and conspiracy, creating a competitive situation between the US and South Korea for his custody. The factors influencing the extradition decision include the severity and location of the offenses, the order of extradition requests received, and other considerations.
Conclusion
The court’s decision in Montenegro to approve Do Kwon’s extradition marks a significant turn in the Terra case, with implications for both the US and South Korean jurisdictions. As Kwon awaits the final decision on his extradition destination, the crypto community and legal observers are keenly watching this high-profile case, which has significant ramifications for the global cryptocurrency market and regulatory landscape.
