Montenegro Court Blocks Kwon's Extradition to South Korea Amidst Procedural Flaws

The Supreme Court of Montenegro has overturned a previous ruling that approved the extradition of Terra (LUNA) founder Do Kwon to South Korea, citing procedural violations and irregularities in the lower courts' decisions. The Court argues that the extradition permit was made without following due process and the Appeal Court's failure to hear the state prosecutor violated the law. Kwon, who faces criminal charges in both the US and South Korea related to the collapse of Terra, had his extradition to the US revoked earlier this month for similar reasons.

Montenegro Supreme Court Halts Kwon's Extradition to South Korea, Citing Procedural Flaws

Podgorica, Montenegro - In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court of Montenegro has overturned a lower court ruling and halted the extradition of Terra (LUNA) founder Do Kwon to South Korea. This development marks a setback in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur.

According to an official memo issued by the Supreme Court, the extradition process was deemed flawed as the lower courts failed to adhere to legal procedures. The memo specifically noted that the courts conducted abbreviated proceedings instead of regular ones and exceeded their authority by issuing an extradition permit, a decision that is reserved for the Minister of Justice.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court found that the proceedings were compromised when the Court of Appeal failed to hear the state prosecutor, as required by law. The "request for the protection of legality" was raised due to this procedural violation, which contravenes the stipulation that only the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office can act before the Appellate Court.

Kwon's arrest in Montenegro in March 2023 had stemmed from an attempt to flee to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using a forged Costa Rican passport. He faces multiple criminal charges in both South Korea and the United States related to the spectacular collapse of Terra and its algorithmic stablecoin, LUNA.

Earlier this month, Kwon's extradition to the United States was also revoked due to procedural violations. The ongoing legal battles highlight the complexities of international extradition processes and the scrutiny with which the courts handle high-profile cases.

The decision by the Supreme Court of Montenegro has cast doubt on the immediate fate of Kwon. It remains unclear whether he will be released from custody in Montenegro or if the prosecution will seek to amend the extradition request and address the procedural issues raised by the court.

As the legal proceedings continue, Kwon's whereabouts and the timeline for his potential extradition remain uncertain. The saga surrounding the Terra founder serves as a stark reminder of the consequences associated with alleged financial crimes and the challenges of international cooperation in such cases.