Montenegro Court Rejects Do Kwon’s Appeal
In a significant legal development, Montenegro’s Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed the appeal of Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs. This appeal challenged an earlier decision by Montenegro’s Supreme Court, which nullified his transfer to South Korea. The Supreme Court had delegated the authority to determine Kwon’s extradition to the Minister of Justice, Bojan Božović.
Kwon’s legal representatives argued that the procedure was unfair, but the Constitutional Court found no infringement on his rights to a fair trial or family life. This pivotal decision empowers Božović to choose between extraditing Kwon to South Korea or the United States, where he faces serious charges.
Speculation is rife that national interests might influence Montenegro to favor extradition to the United States over South Korea. This strategic decision could have far-reaching implications for Montenegro’s international relations and legal precedence.
Background of Kwon’s Legal Troubles
Do Kwon’s legal woes began with his arrest in Montenegro last year, following accusations of using a counterfeit passport. This incident triggered a complex legal battle over his extradition. Initially, a lower court in Montenegro favored extradition to South Korea over a U.S. request.
In August, Montenegro’s highest court postponed a previous decision to extradite Kwon to South Korea. This postponement arose from unresolved legal inquiries by prosecutors. As a result, the situation remains uncertain, with both South Korea and the United States eager to prosecute Kwon for his alleged offenses.
The delay in finalizing Kwon’s extradition underscores the intricate legal processes at play and the international tug-of-war for jurisdiction over his case. His legal team is expected to explore further avenues to contest the extradition, particularly to the United States, making the timeline and outcome of this legal saga unpredictable.
