-
- Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs, has been released from prison in Montenegro while awaiting a decision on extradition requests from the United States and South Korea.
- Kwon faced fraud allegations in both countries following the collapse of Terra Luna, resulting in approximately $60 billion in market value loss in 2022.
- The Supreme Court of Montenegro halted his extradition to South Korea, suspending a lower court’s ruling, with further deliberations underway.
- Kwon’s lawyer confirmed his release, but his passport has been retained to prevent him from leaving the country, and he has been relocated to a shelter for foreigners pending further legal proceedings.
- Extradition to either country depends on ongoing court deliberations, with no specified timeline provided.
Supreme Court Halts Extradition Amid Fraught Legal Battle
Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs and central figure in the Terra Luna controversy, has been released from incarceration in Montenegro amidst a legal tussle over extradition. Following a Bloomberg report, Kwon regained his freedom on Saturday, March 23, as the Supreme Court of Montenegro intervened, suspending a prior ruling that had favored extradition to his native South Korea.
Complex Legal Landscape Unfolds
Facing allegations of fraud in both the United States and South Korea stemming from the Terra Luna debacle, Kwon’s legal journey has been labyrinthine. The collapse of Terra Luna in 2022, resulting in staggering market value loss, prompted legal action on two fronts. While South Korean authorities seek his return for trial, U.S. prosecutors are pursuing eight felony charges against him.
Uncertainty Looms Over Extradition Decision
Despite his release, Kwon’s future remains uncertain. With his passport confiscated to forestall departure, he finds himself in a legal limbo awaiting further court rulings. The Supreme Court of Montenegro’s decision to halt extradition, citing procedural concerns raised by the chief prosecutor, has injected complexity into an already convoluted legal saga. Both the U.S. and South Korea await extradition decisions, yet a concrete timeline remains elusive.