The extradition of Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, to South Korea has been once again delayed in Montenegro at the request of the Attorney General Andrej Milović.
The Montenegro finds itself at the heart of a diplomatic standoff between South Korea and the United States, both wanting to prosecute Do Kwon for the collapse of the Terra/LUNA system, which caused a loss of 40 billion dollars.
The delays and conflicting judicial decisions raise questions of impartiality, especially considering that the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic, is personally invested in Terraform Labs.
A Complex Diplomatic Issue
Montenegro is at the center of a diplomatic standoff between South Korea and the United States, both of whom want to prosecute Do Kwon for civil and criminal charges related to the collapse of the Terra/LUNA system in May 2022, an estimated loss of 40 billion dollars. Do Kwon was arrested using a fake Costa Rican passport while attempting to flee to Dubai.
During today’s session, the council made a decision to postpone the execution of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Podgorica and the Court of Appeals of Montenegro, until the Supreme Court decides on the Request for Protection of Legality, which will be rendered within legal deadlines.
Preferences and Strategies of Do Kwon
Do Kwon, who wishes to be tried in his home country of South Korea, where penalties for financial crimes are generally lighter, successfully contested previous extradition decisions to the United States last year. However, Montenegrin courts, as well as prosecutors and government officials, seem divided on whether to honor the request.
Reactions and Legal Allegations
Do Kwon’s defense lawyer in Montenegro, Goran Radić, told the Montenegrin newspaper Vijesti that the ongoing delays and seven court decisions in this case represent a “judicial shame.” Radić also accused Milović of making an “illegal private promise” to extradite Do Kwon to the United States, despite the fact that South Korea was the first to issue an extradition request.
The case is further complicated by the fact that the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic, is personally invested in Terraform Labs, as reported by Bloomberg earlier this year. This personal connection raises questions about the impartiality of decisions made by Montenegrin authorities regarding the extradition of Do Kwon.
