New Zealand Justice Minister Orders Kim Dotcom’s Extradition to the United States

[Social Media]

 

In a significant development, New Zealand's Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has signed an extradition order for Kim Dotcom, the controversial internet entrepreneur and founder of the file-sharing website Megaupload. This move marks a pivotal moment in the long-running legal battle that has seen Dotcom, a larger-than-life figure in New Zealand's political and cultural landscape, fighting to avoid being sent to the United States to face charges related to digital piracy.

 

 

Kim Dotcom, originally from Germany, relocated to New Zealand in 2010, where he quickly became a notable figure, both for his wealth and for his legal battles. The US Government has long accused Dotcom of profiting from the illegal distribution of copyrighted content through Megaupload, a website that allowed users to share and download files, including pirated movies, music, and software. At its peak, Megaupload was one of the most popular sites on the internet, reportedly generating millions of dollars in revenue. However, its success also made it a target for US authorities, who charged Dotcom and several others involved with the site with a range of offenses, including copyright infringement, money laundering, and racketeering.

 

 

In January 2012, Dotcom's legal troubles intensified when New Zealand police, acting on a request from the US, conducted a dramatic raid on his Auckland mansion. The operation, which involved helicopters and over 70 officers, resulted in Dotcom's arrest, along with the seizure of assets and the shutdown of Megaupload. The raid was a media sensation, with footage of the event broadcast around the world, and it set the stage for what would become a protracted and high-profile legal battle over Dotcom's extradition to the United States.

 

 

Despite the initial raid and subsequent legal actions, Dotcom managed to avoid extradition for over a decade. His legal team argued that the charges against him were politically motivated and that he could not be held responsible for the actions of Megaupload's users. Dotcom also claimed that his prosecution was driven by the interests of powerful American entertainment companies and their influence over the US government.

 

During his years in New Zealand, Dotcom did not shy away from the public eye. In addition to his legal battles, he launched a political career, founding the Internet Party, which aimed to reform copyright laws and promote digital freedom. In 2014, Dotcom's Internet Party joined forces with Hone Harawira's Mana Movement to form the Internet Mana Party, which contested the New Zealand general election. Despite a high-profile campaign, the party failed to win any seats, and Harawira did not return to Parliament.

 

As the years passed, Dotcom remained in New Zealand, living in Queenstown with his second wife, Elizabeth, and their youngest child. He continued to fight his extradition in the courts, and his case became a symbol of the broader debate over internet freedom, copyright enforcement, and the reach of US law.

 

However, Dotcom's long stay in New Zealand may now be coming to an end. On Thursday, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed that he had signed the warrant for Dotcom's extradition, following extensive advice from the Ministry of Justice. "I have received extensive advice from the Ministry of Justice on this matter," Goldsmith said in a statement. "I considered all of the information carefully, and have decided that Mr Dotcom should be surrendered to the US to face trial."

 

Dotcom, for his part, has vowed to continue fighting his extradition. In a statement posted on social media, he criticized Goldsmith's decision, accusing New Zealand of being an "obedient US colony in the South Pacific." He reiterated his longstanding argument that he should not be held accountable for the actions of Megaupload's users, claiming that he had no control over what they decided to upload.

 

Despite the signing of the extradition order, Dotcom is not yet out of legal options. He has the right to appeal Goldsmith's decision, and given his track record, it is likely that he will do so. This could prolong the legal process further, as the case winds its way through New Zealand's appellate courts.

 

The decision to extradite Dotcom has significant implications, not only for the man himself but also for New Zealand's relationship with the United States. The case has already sparked debate over issues of sovereignty, the influence of the US on global legal matters, and the balance between protecting intellectual property and preserving internet freedom.

 

As the legal saga continues, it remains to be seen whether Dotcom will ultimately be sent to the US to face trial, or whether he will find a way to remain in New Zealand. For now, his case stands as one of the most high-profile and contentious legal battles in recent history, with far-reaching consequences for all involved.

 

Credit: Stuff New Zealand  2024-08-16

 

 

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[Tug]

The dudes a thief lock him up and liquidate his assets to pay damages.

[thesetat2013]

in a way, Dotcom is correct. His website is a free service used for people to upload and download anything. What was put in the servers was not screened so in reality the piracy of movies was not advertised. So, he may get off to some extent in a courtroom for piracy. If anything, the people responsible for uploading the pirated material should face prosecution instead of the owner of the site. I remember viewing some movies there in the past using link and none of those were titled from the actual name of the movie. For him to be held responsible will take a lot of evidence he willingly encouraged and allowed it. 

NZ has no obligation to to hand him over to the US justice system. So they are doing it for other reasons. I do know that the law says you are allowed to copy and watch movies for personal use. Not intended for distribution. This law should be changed if they want to stop sites like Megaupload. Where anyone can upload anything they want. 

I wish the guy luck in beating this. 

[Captain Flack]

A reported off topic post has been removed, this discussion is not about Trump, so please stop trying to push your political views onto other unrelated topics.

[Patong2]

The raid by the NZ Police on DotComs mansion left many of us aghast in NZ. The raid was probably the biggest misuse of Police Assets we have ever seen. 

There had been no threat articulated by DotCom to anyone and when, in Auckland, we are unable to get Police to respond in a timely manner to assaults, burglaries and rapes it is unfathomable.

Why such a waste of resources for a "financial" crime which occurred in another country?

What was offered to the NZ Police to stage this assault and who offered it?

 

As for DotCom? the crime appears to be more of a civil matter so I really wouldn't my taxes wasted on his legal battles to stay in NZ.

[mstevens]

To extradite DotCom, the USA had to show that there was a case for him to answer for laws broken in the USA, and that similar laws existed in New Zealand, and that he would be given a fair trial in the USA. That is basically what is required to prove before a country will agree to extradite someone. And on the face of it, based on what is known, extradition seems reasonable. If he's innocent, let him show that in a court in the USA. He can afford the best defence attorney money can buy.

[Freddy42OZ]

Kim used to live in Hong Kong and I enjoyed many good chats with him in the members only "Kee Club".  
I hope he beats this ridiculous charge as well. 

[Tug]

2 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

in a way, Dotcom is correct. His website is a free service used for people to upload and download anything. What was put in the servers was not screened so in reality the piracy of movies was not advertised. So, he may get off to some extent in a courtroom for piracy. If anything, the people responsible for uploading the pirated material should face prosecution instead of the owner of the site. I remember viewing some movies there in the past using link and none of those were titled from the actual name of the movie. For him to be held responsible will take a lot of evidence he willingly encouraged and allowed it. 

NZ has no obligation to to hand him over to the US justice system. So they are doing it for other reasons. I do know that the law says you are allowed to copy and watch movies for personal use. Not intended for distribution. This law should be changed if they want to stop sites like Megaupload. Where anyone can upload anything they want. 

I wish the guy luck in beating this. 

The dude allowed access to copyrighted material it didn’t belong to him he allowed others to steal it that’s wrong he’s wealthy go to trial win or lose there’s reason to extradite the guy.kinda like a dot com fence.

[Emdog]

I just hope he lets the lady in the photo be on top....

[dingdongrb]

I wonder who will get his extremely high speed internet service from atop the Sky Tower?

[pacovl46]

9 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

in a way, Dotcom is correct. His website is a free service used for people to upload and download anything. What was put in the servers was not screened so in reality the piracy of movies was not advertised. So, he may get off to some extent in a courtroom for piracy. If anything, the people responsible for uploading the pirated material should face prosecution instead of the owner of the site. I remember viewing some movies there in the past using link and none of those were titled from the actual name of the movie. For him to be held responsible will take a lot of evidence he willingly encouraged and allowed it. 

NZ has no obligation to to hand him over to the US justice system. So they are doing it for other reasons. I do know that the law says you are allowed to copy and watch movies for personal use. Not intended for distribution. This law should be changed if they want to stop sites like Megaupload. Where anyone can upload anything they want. 

I wish the guy luck in beating this. 

Just because the titles of the movies were changed doesn't mean that it's not piracy! He knew that his platform was used for piracy and allowed it and profited massively from it and therefore he's guilty as well. It's like owning a club and knowingly allow people to sell drugs in there and getting a cut. 

[MicroB]

6 hours ago, Emdog said:

I just hope he lets the lady in the photo be on top....

 

Has Fatty ever used his tennis courts? And I note his pool isn't really a swimming pool.

 

A spell in clink might actually do him some good. He can work out, lose a bit of weight.