Is Kim Dotcom’s time up in New Zealand? Decision made on Kim and co’s extradition to face charges in US courts

 

Auckland District Court this morning ruled that Kim Dotcom and cohorts are eligible for extradition to the US to face copyright charges.

The Mega Upload founder and co have been in and out of Auckland courts since the dramatic raid and arrest nearly four years ago by police special forces.

Since his arrest, Kim has been fighting extradition to the US to face copyright charges from all angles including creating a failed political party, expensive lawyers and trying to capture the hearts of New Zealanders.

The larger than life internet entrepreneur has also raised serious questions as the legitimacy of the raid on his mansion, the warrants issued and even exposed illegal spying that took place prior to his arrest on the request of the US government.

Over the past four years, many in New Zealand have jumped on the Dotcom band wagon, with Kim garnering a lot of support from all spectrums of NZ society even getting a public apology from Prime Minister Jon Key over the botched raid and arrest.

Albeit an negative outcome for Kim, the case is being viewed worldwide as a precedent by taking down the biggest player and with Kim the scapegoat.

Kim today claimed that his situation is simple in the fact that Copyright law is different and extradition cannot take place on the grounds of copyright law.

Kim now faces a few years of appeals which may buy him time whilst it goes through the NZ justice system with Kim and his lawyers suggesting that they will take this all the way to the Supreme Court.

 

Image compliments to Wikipedia (Robert O’Neill).