The CEO of Haru Invest, a prominent South Korean yield farming crypto firm, was stabbed during a court trial. The attack occurred amid ongoing legal proceedings related to the company’s business practices and financial management.
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Lee was indicted in February on fraud charges after Haru Invest suspended the withdrawal of about 1.4 trillion won ($1.05 billion) worth of cryptocurrency, which had been deposited by customers between March 2020 to June 2023, according to Yonhap news agency.
Police said they have arrested the assailant and are investigating his motives.
($1 = 1,336.9400 won) Reuters reported
The Incident Of The Attack
The courtroom drama unfolded unexpectedly as the trial was in session at the Seoul Central District Court. According to witnesses, an unidentified assailant managed to breach security measures and lunged at the CEO with a knife, causing chaos in the courtroom. Immediate medical attention was administered, and the CEO was rushed to a nearby hospital. Current reports indicate that they are in stable condition and expected to recover fully.
Haru Invest has been under intense scrutiny following allegations of financial misconduct and mismanagement of investor funds. The firm, well-known for its high-yield crypto investment strategies, attracted a significant number of investors seeking lucrative returns in the volatile digital asset market.
Regulatory authorities initiated an investigation into Haru Invest after several investors raised concerns about irregularities in fund allocations and returns. The trial is part of broader efforts to address these allegations and ensure accountability within the rapidly growing cryptocurrency sector.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Haru Invest reiterated the company’s commitment to cooperating with authorities to resolve all outstanding issues transparently. “Our thoughts are with our CEO and their family during this difficult time. We remain dedicated to safeguarding our investors’ interests and upholding the highest standards of integrity,” the spokesperson said.
The trial is expected to resume once it is deemed safe to do so. Meanwhile, regulators continue their efforts to establish clearer guidelines and oversight mechanisms for crypto firms operating within South Korea.
