The anticipated extradition of former Terraform Labs (TFL) CEO Do Kwon from Montenegro to South Korea has been postponed. This occurred at the request of the Supreme Court, which granted the plea of Justice Minister Andrija Milović, reports Vijesti.
Milović also serves as the country’s chief prosecutor. His department filed a motion for the protection of legality, proposing to delay Kwon’s extradition to South Korea.
The Supreme Court will issue a verdict regarding the legality of the Montenegrin Appellate Court’s decision “within the time limits prescribed by law.”
On August 1, the latter rejected the US request for Do Kwon’s extradition and ruled that he would be sent to South Korea. This verdict confirmed the decision of the High Court of Podgorica, made at the end of June.
In November 2023, the latter approved the extradition of the former TFL head, giving Justice Minister Andrija Milović the option to choose the country. The appellate instance overturned this decision, deeming it contrary to the law.
In February 2024, the High Court ruled to extradite the entrepreneur at the request of the US. This ruling was also overturned following a motion. Korean citizen Kwon sought extradition to his homeland.
Kwon’s Montenegrin lawyer, Goran Rajić, stated that the constant delays and seven court decisions in Kwon’s case are “a disgrace.”
The specialist also claimed that Milović “illegally promised” to extradite Kwon to the US, rather than to South Korea, which was the first to submit an extradition request.
On March 23, 2023, Montenegrin police arrested Kwon and former TFL CFO Han Chang-Joon while attempting to fly from Podgorica airport to Dubai using fake passports.
On April 5, a jury in the Southern District of New York found TFL and Do Kwon guilty of deceiving investors and securities fraud. The proceedings lasted nine days and were held in absentia.
In South Korea, Kwon faces numerous charges, including violations of capital markets law.
Earlier, it was reported that he was released from Montenegrin prison after serving a sentence for attempting to cross the border with forged documents.
Back in February, Han Chang-Joon was extradited to Korea.