In a gripping legal saga that traverses international borders, Do Kwon, the pioneering mind behind Terraform Labs (TFL), has taken a bold step in appealing against the extradition ruling issued by the High Court of Podgorica in Montenegro.

The unfolding drama follows the Montenegrin Court of Appeal’s confirmation on December 6th that Kwon Do-hyung has contested the decision, firmly stating, “I do not accept the court’s decision to extradite me, so I do not submit to the court’s decision.”

This appeal now places the Montenegrin Court of Appeals at the epicenter, mandated to reassess the extradition ruling that has put the Montenegrin Ministry of Justice in a quandary, facing an imminent deadline of December 15th.

The labyrinthine legal journey commenced on June 15th when the Montenegrin court initially ruled to detain Kwon Do-hyung for extradition, setting a six-month detention period until December 15th.

The Montenegrin Court of Appeal recently confirmed the submission of Kwon Do-hyung’s contestation against the extradition ruling. With this move, the court is mandated to reevaluate the decision, presenting a challenge to the Montenegrin Ministry of Justice, which faces a looming deadline of December 15.

This development comes after the initial decision by the Montenegrin court on June 15 to detain Kwon Do-hyung for extradition, setting a six-month detention period until December 15.

Marija Rakovic, the press officer of the Podgorica High Court, clarified the rights of individuals involved in extradition cases, emphasizing their entitlement to challenge court decisions. The appeal sets the stage for the Montenegro Court of Appeals to reconsider the extradition decision, despite prevailing local beliefs suggesting slim chances of overturning the repatriation ruling.

Regarding Kwon Do-hyung’s possible repatriation, the decision rests with the Minister of Justice, following requests from both South Korea and the United States. Notably, Kwon had expressed a preference for extradition to Korea during the trial, despite the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also seeking his extradition.

Recent statements from Marija Rakovic, the press officer of the Podgorica High Court, shed light on the rights of individuals entangled in extradition cases like Kwon Do-hyung. Rakovic emphasized their right to challenge court decisions, offering insights sourced from the local news publication Digital Asset.

Rakovic explained, “Once the appeal is submitted, the Montenegro Court of Appeals will decide (on extradition) again.” Yet, despite local conjecture hinting at slim odds of overturning the repatriation decision, the legal wheels continue to turn.

The impending decision raises the crucial question: Will the Terra founder find himself bound for the United States or South Korea?

Approximately two weeks post the extradition verdict, Kwon Do-hyung took the decisive step of filing an appeal. In a November 24th press release, Montenegro’s High Court announced the approval of his extradition, sought both by South Korea and the United States.

However, the court clarified that the ultimate choice of repatriation, whether to Korea or the United States, falls under the purview of the Minister of Justice. During the extradition trial, Kwon Do-hyung expressed a preference for extradition to Korea, as disclosed in the court’s press release. Yet, the U.S. SEC also seeks his extradition, adding a layer of complexity to the proceedings.

This saga has spurred concerns about Kwon Do-hyung’s compliance with the extradition decision, prompting inquiries from various entities, including the Montenegrin court, the Ministry of Justice, and his legal representative.

A journalist well-acquainted with Montenegro’s legal landscape unveiled on December 3rd the strong likelihood of Kwon Do-hyung facing extradition, potentially to Korea or the United States, come January of the following year.

The journalist highlighted that Kwon Do-hyung’s detention in Montenegro has raised alarms among government and judiciary officials, adding a compelling layer to this multifaceted legal spectacle.

With the legal dice cast and the global spotlight on this intricate extradition battle, the fate of Terra’s luminary, Do Kwon, remains shrouded in legal ambiguity, captivating audiences worldwide.