Kim Dotcom Out on Bail
Created: 2012-02-23 00:50 EST
Category: World > Asia Pacific
Embed:
Loading video ......
Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom returns to court.
The alleged Internet pirate has been in custody since his arrest in a military style raid last month carried out by New Zealand police acting on a U.S. warrant.
But on Wednesday an Auckland court granted him bail, freeing him from jail but effectively placing him under house arrest and banning him from using the Internet.
The verdict was a blow to U.S. crime fighters who had wanted to keep Dotcom behind bars.
The 38 year old German - who has New Zealand residency - said he was looking forward to being back with his family.
[Kim Dotcom, Alleged Internet Pirate]:
"I'm relieved to go home to see my family, my three little kids and my pregnant wife; and I hope you understand that's all I want to say right now."
Prosecutors say Dotcom was the ringleader of a group that netted 175 million U.S. dollars since 2005 by copying and distributing music and movies without authorization through website megaupload.com.
Dotcom's lawyers though say the company simply offered online storage and strenuously denies the U.S. charges.
- Post-Quake Progress in Christchurch, New Zealand
2012-02-22 - Democracy Leader Suu Kyi Marks Father's Birthday 2012-02-14
- Report Shows Collapsed New Zealand Building Was “Substandard“ 2012-02-10
- New Zealander Arrested in Northwestern India over 3 Bullets 2012-02-02
- Suu Kyi on Myanmar Election Tour 2012-01-30
- Desperate Bid to Refloat Beached Whales 2012-01-26
- Deadly Flooding Hits Fiji 2012-01-25
- New Zealand Police Arrest “Occupy” Protesters 2012-01-24
- Megaupload Founder Held in Custody 2012-01-24
- Crews Clean up New Zealand Shipwreck 2012-01-20
