Kim Dotcom is refused bail in New Zealand

Wednesday 25th January 2012 3 Comments

Kim Dotcom has been refused bail by a New Zealand judge who decided there was a significant risk of flight.

In North Shore District Court, Judge David McNaughton today said it was impossible for him to determine at this early stage if the US government has a strong case in alleging a Mega Conspiracy or if Dotcom has a good defence.

“All I can say if that there appears to be an arguable defence in respect of the breach of copyright charges and no doubt very considerable resources will be brought to bear both for the prosecution and defence should the matter proceed to trial.”

The judge gave no weight to a so-called deportation of the accused from Thailand in 2002 or to the idea that he planned to return to Hong Kong for the birth of twins his wife is carrying.

But he noted Dotcom would be safe from extradition to the US if he travelled to Germany.

The risk of reoffending was seen as neutral with respect to the bail application.

Dotcom’s business has been shutdown in the US and his bank accounts have been frozen. He has disclosed an account with $300,000 in it as a sign of good faith.

“While the US government’s argument on flight risk in general is not as strong as initially suggested nonetheless I am left in a position that there is a risk and it is a significant risk,” McNaughton said.

(BusinessDesk)

BusinessDesk.co.nz

Comments from our readers

On 25 January 2012 at 4:07 pm angee said:

still more support for a propoganda government.its ok for mf global to rip off peoples money and noone get charged,,but a bright IT guy has to be made as example of. there are millions of sites that do what his does, it is not going to stop. this is the start of internet freedoms and interference in what we chose to surf on the net. beware this is just the start. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU NOW!! Gnu/Linux is all I have to say.

On 25 January 2012 at 6:22 pm walgert said:

the question is..how did he get a visa in the first place? Schmitts record in Germany is well documented one only needs to watch DW-TV and Key has a lot to answer for. Schmitts record was NOT wiped, as key wants us to believe. Schmitt is a bad Finger !!

On 25 January 2012 at 10:55 pm pjk said:

megaupload wilfully encouraged people to upload pirated content and paid them to do so. They also deliberately delayed copyright removal requests. Megaupload broke many copyright laws to chase the big bucks - they are going to jail for a LONG time