Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom refused bail
Three co-accused in Megaupload case face bail hearing today
By Sim Ahmed | Computerworld New Zealand | Published: 09:45, 25 January 2012
Kim Dotcom has been remanded in custody until February 22, the judge denying the Megaupload founder's application for bail.
It is expected that an extradition hearing will be held at that time.
Judge David McNaughton had reserved his decision since Monday afternoon, when Dotcom's bail hearing was held.
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At the hearing, Crown prosecutor Anne Toohey claimed Dotcom posed a "significant" flight risk because of the sums of money available to him.
(Mathias Ortmann, Fin Batato, Bram Van der Kolk and Kim Dotcom)
This was disputed by Dotcom's lawyer, who told the court his client's funds had all been seized, and that the media and the US government had been 'misrepresenting' his client's business.
As of 11.20am, the judge is hearing from the defence council for Dotcom's co-accused.
Finn Batato, chief marketing officer at Megaupload, Mathias Ortmann, chief technical officer, and Bram van der Kolk, programmer, all face similar charges of copyright infringement, racketeering, and money laundering.
All four men were arrested on January 20 by police who executed provisional arrest warrants requested by the US Department of Justice.
Dotcom's defence team regrouped after the decision to deny bail. Lawyer Paul Davison later told media that they will appeal today's decision in the High Court.
