US bid to revoke Dotcom's NZ bail fails

Kim Dotcom will remain out of jail, but with tighter conditions than for most of his time on release, after a bid to revoke his bail was unsuccessful.

Kim Dotcom is accusing the United States government of bullying, harassment and opportunism after it failed to get him back behind bars.

The US government argued in Auckland District Court that Dotcom has breached his bail, granted in February 2012, and its lawyer Christine Gordon QC says the fact Dotcom had earned millions from business activities since being granted bail meant he was at risk of fleeing New Zealand.

But Judge Nevin Dawson rejected the bid to have Dotcom's bail revoked, saying there was no proof he had money stashed away for a bid to skip the country.

"Mr Dotcom cannot prove he has salted away money, and nor should he be required to do so," the New Zealand judge said.

"He has made a substantial investment in money and time in his efforts to stay here. The court is not satisfied Mr Dotcom has hidden money for the purposes of escaping New Zealand."

Dotcom said outside court that the only reason the Crown made the bail application was because his previous lawyers had resigned due to him not being able to pay them following a freeze on his assets.

"The Crown and the US government have used this opportunity in a weak moment to make up the bogus case for me having breached my bail conditions," he said.

"I think this is another example of harassment and bullying by the US government in concert with the NZ government."

Under new bail conditions he now cannot use a helicopter or travel by sea or air other than via public transport, and has to report to North Shore Police Station twice a week - restrictions Dotcom was unhappy with.

"I have been probably the most compliant and exemplary candidate of bail in New Zealand and I am surprised, even though I am going home right now, that my bail conditions have been tightened."

An extradition hearing for Dotcom, who is wanted in the United States on internet piracy charges, is due in June next year.


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