At a bail hearing in the Bahamas last week, Mr. Bankman-Fried said he would not waive his right to contest extradition. After he was denied bail, he was moved from a police holding cell to the Caribbean island nation’s notorious Fox Hill prison, which has been widely criticized for its poor living conditions.
He was expected to reverse his position on extradition when he appeared on Monday morning at Magistrate Court in Nassau. But the proceedings were thrown into chaos.
“Whatever trail got him here this morning, it did not involve me,” Mr. Roberts told the judge in front of a packed courtroom. The hearing was adjourned so Mr. Roberts could speak privately with Mr. Bankman-Fried.
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When the hearing resumed, the confusion continued. Mr. Roberts said Mr. Bankman-Fried wanted to make a decision on extradition but needed “a bit more information.” He also said Mr. Bankman-Fried needed time to speak with his lawyers in the United States.
A court officer indicated that Mr. Bankman-Fried would be taken back to prison. “I certainly feel it is a wasted day,” said the magistrate judge, Shaka Serville.
Outside the courthouse in the Bahamas, some people, including those who said they had invested in cryptocurrency and done business with FTX, showed up to display their anger with Mr. Bankman-Fried.