In a recent development, the Appellate Court of Montenegro has overturned the extradition of Do Kwon, the founder of Terraform Labs.
The successful appeal has resulted in Do Kwon being sent back to court for a retrial, following the December 29 ruling by the Podgorica High Court to fulfill legal requirements for Kwon’s extradition, allowing him to face prosecution in either South Korea or the United States.
The appeals court cited “significant violations of the provisions of criminal procedure” as the basis for vetoing the High Court’s decision. The court highlighted that the High Court’s ruling lacked clarity, with an “incomprehensible” wording, a lack of reason for decisive facts, and unclear justifications.
Kwon had previously appealed his extradition on December 19, and despite a ruling against him on December 29, his legal team has now secured a successful appeal, sending the case back for retrial and decision.
The court emphasized that the High Court failed to consider specific procedures related to the authority determining a shortened extradition process. Additionally, it pointed out that the High Court did not definitively establish the order in which South Korea and the US petitioned for Do Kwon’s extradition, raising procedural concerns.
This turn of events reflects the ongoing legal complexities surrounding Kwon’s extradition case and underscores the importance of adherence to proper criminal procedures. The retrial will provide another opportunity for Kwon’s legal team to present their case and address the identified shortcomings in the previous rulings.