Montenegro is currently embroiled in controversy surrounding the extradition of Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, amidst allegations of corruption involving the country’s former Justice Minister and Prime Minister. The situation has sparked a political firestorm and raised concerns about the potential misuse of power for personal gain.
Former Justice Minister Andrej Milović has been at the forefront of the controversy, alleging that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić used Kwon’s extradition as leverage to secure a 30-year airport concession deal with South Korea. Milović claimed that Spajić initially favored granting the concession to France but changed his stance after the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of extraditing Kwon to South Korea. This shift in position has raised suspicions of ulterior motives and political connections influencing the decision-making process.
Milović, who is also a candidate in the upcoming local elections in Podgorica, has not minced his words in expressing his concerns about the potential link between Kwon’s extradition and the airport concession deal. He accused Spajić of prioritizing personal interests over the well-being of the country, pointing to reports that Spajić had invested $75,000 in Terra/Luna tokens, directly tying him to Kwon’s collapsed crypto project. The former Justice Minister warned that extraditing Kwon to South Korea could hinder a comprehensive investigation into the matter and called for external pressure, particularly from the US, to ensure transparency and accountability.
The extradition saga of Do Kwon has not been without its twists and turns. Since his arrest in Montenegro in March 2023 for attempting to travel with falsified documents, courts in the country have been grappling with the decision on which country to extradite him to – the US or South Korea. The process has been marred by legal complications, with multiple decisions to extradite Kwon being overturned by higher courts or the appellate court. The latest ruling by the Court of Appeals in early August favored extradition to South Korea, but the Supreme Court intervened to postpone the process for further review, highlighting the complexity and sensitivity of the case.
As the final decision on Kwon’s extradition now rests with Justice Minister Bojan Božović, the outcome is poised to have far-reaching implications for Montenegro, both politically and economically. The strategic infrastructure and international relations of the country hang in the balance, with stakeholders closely watching how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
Subheadings:
The Allegations and Controversy Surrounding Do Kwon’s Extradition
Political Connections and Personal Interests at Play
The Implications of the Extradition Decision on Montenegro’s Future
