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Terra co-founder Do Kwon has secured another victory in the extradition case to the United States. The Montenegro higher court overruled the decision of a lower court, marking Kwon's third triumph against the Montenegro High Court, which had initially supported extradition requests from South Korea and the United States.
An Appellate Court of Montenegro panel ruled on March 5, 2024, effectively overturning Do Kwon's extradition decision following a panel meeting. This marks the third instance where Kwon successfully contested the Montenegro High Court's extradition rulings.
Legal Action Details and Court of Appeals Decision
The legal action leading to the February extradition decision in Montenegro did not see the Court of Appeals finding "significant violations of the provisions of criminal procedure." According to the statement, crucial data in the order of arrival request letter did not have clear and valid reasons.
This latest overruling by the Appellate Court adds another layer to the prolonged extradition process that began when Kwon was arrested in Montenegro in March 2023. Both the U.S. and South Korea sought Kwon's extradition, sparking debates on whether the Terraform Labs founder should be sent to his native country.
The Appellate Court of Montenegro had previously canceled Kwon's extradition approval in December 2023, arguing that the case should be returned to the Podgorica Basic Court for retrial.
Legal Milestones and Final Decision
The High Court of Podgorica had previously established the legal requirements for Kwon's extradition in November 2023, leaving the final decision to the Minister of Justice of Montenegro.
The Terraform Labs co-founder faces charges of fraud by federal prosecutors in New York, making him a target for both U.S. and South Korean extradition requests.
Kwon and another individual were arrested at Montenegro’s Podgorica Airport in March 2023 while attempting to depart for Dubai with fake Costa Rican passports. The charges against them stem from allegations of fraud and financial crimes related to the collapse of Terra's digital currencies in May 2022.