- 32 minutes ago
- From the section Asia
Image copyright AP
A New Zealand court has ruled that internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom is eligible to be extradited to the United States to face multiple charges.
Dotcom, who is accused of copyright infringement, racketeering and money laundering, can appeal the verdict.He founded the now-defunct file-sharing site Megaupload where millions of people downloaded movies and songs.
US authorities say Dotcom and others cost film studios and record companies more than $500m (£322m).
But Dotcom, a German national who has been living in Auckland and describes himself as an "internet freedom fighter" on his Twitter page, has fought the case arguing that he was not responsible for the copyright infringement.
Three other men, who co-founded the site with Dotcom and face similar charges, have also been ruled as eligible for extradition.
Judge Nevin Dawson told the court in Auckland that the US had a "large body of evidence" supporting the case and that the defendants "fall well short of undermining the case", reported news outlet Stuff.
'Justice not served'
The US government's extradition attempt began in 2012 following a controversial raid by New Zealand police conducted on Dotcom's large mansion northwest of Auckland.Dotcom was granted residency in New Zealand in 2010.
A member of Dotcom's legal team, Ira Rothken, indicated that Dotcom plans to appeal the extradition verdict, saying on Twitter: "The @KimDotcom team looks forward to having the US request for extradition reviewed in the High Court."
"We believe the (district court) was wrong... Justice was not served today."
Asia
Man rescued from China landslide
- 27 minutes ago
- From the section China
India toughens rape law for juveniles
- 22 December 2015
- From the section India
Afghan forces resist Taliban siege
- 22 December 2015
- From the section Asia
No comments:
Post a Comment