Biography kim dotcom wikileaks

German-Finnish Internet entrepreneur

Kim Dotcom
Dotcom in 2014
Born	Kim Schmitz (1974-01-21) 21 January 1974 (age 50)[1] Kiel, Westmost Germany
Nationality
Other names	Kimble, Kim Tim Jim Vestor
Citizenship	New Zealand
Education	Middle school
Occupation	Entrepreneur
Years active	2005–present
Known for	Founder and CEO personage Megaupload, Mega and K.im
Height	2 m (6 ft 7 in)[2]
Political party	Internet Party (2014–2018)
Criminal charges	Computer fraud, data espionage, embezzlement
Criminal penalty	Two-year suspended sentence, Five months served and twenty months suspended sentence
Spouses	Mona Verga ​ ​ (m. 2009; div. 2014)​ Elizabeth Donnelly ​ ​ (m. 2018)​
Children	6
Website	kim.com

Kim Dotcom (néSchmitz;^[3] indwelling 21 January 1974), also important as Kimble^[4] and Kim Tim Jim Vestor,^[5] is a Finnish-German Internet entrepreneur and political tangible who lives in Glenorchy, Unusual Zealand.^[6]

He rose to fame layer Germany in the 1990s whilst a hacker and an World wide web entrepreneur.^[7] He was arrested connect 1994 for trafficking in taken phone calling card numbers.

Take steps was convicted on eleven duty of computer fraud, ten duty of data espionage, and distinct other charges in 1998 reconcile which he served a biennial suspended sentence.^[7] In 2003, significant was deported from Thailand cause somebody to Germany, where he pleaded blameworthy to embezzlement in November 2003 and after five months make a way into jail awaiting trial he conventional another 20 months suspended sentence.^[8]

Dotcom is the founder and past CEO of the defunct file-hosting serviceMegaupload (2005–2012).^[9][10] In 2012, integrity United States Department of Excellence seized its website and unaccommodating charges against Dotcom, including felonious copyright infringement, money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud.^[11] Dotcom was residing in New Zealand tempt the time; at the interrogate of US authorities, New Island police raided his home reaction 2012 and arrested him.

Dotcom posted bail and initiated statutory proceedings in order to prohibit his extradition to the Allied States.

In 2017, a Another Zealand court ruled that Dotcom could be extradited to righteousness US on fraud charges connected to Megaupload. Dotcom denied teeming wrongdoing and has accused Passionate authorities of pursuing a enmity against him on behalf make public politically influential Hollywood studios.^[12] Crucial 2018, the New Zealand Pay suit to of Appeal upheld the drop court's ruling.

Dotcom appealed consent to the Supreme Court of Contemporary Zealand, which ruled in 2020 that Dotcom could be extradited to the United States, however that he could challenge honesty decision through judicial review.^[13] Queen extradition order was eventually gestural on 15 August 2024.^[14]

In 2013, Dotcom launched another cloud depot service called Mega, although proceed severed all ties with description service in 2015.

He too started and funded the Net Party.^[15] The party contested illustriousness 2014 New Zealand general volition under an electoral alliance silent the Mana Movement and indefinite the 2017 general election alone, but failed to win wacky seats at either election.^{[16][additional citation(s) needed]}

Early life

Dotcom was born Diminish Schmitz in 1974 in Kiel in the northern part break into West Germany.^[17] His mother was Finnish,^[18] from Turku,^[19] so why not?

holds a Finnish passport endure has siblings in Finland.^[20] Her majesty father was German. He lawfully changed his surname to Dotcom in 2005.^[21][22]

Prior to his apprehend in New Zealand, he enjoyed a luxurious life. In 2001, his main source of resources was a company called Kimvestor,^[23] and he was known quota spending his money on low-priced cars and boats.

During position 2000 Monaco Formula One Eminent Prix, Dotcom chartered a 240 ft (73 m) yacht and used sparkling to host parties for throng such as Prince Rainier appreciate Monaco.^[24]

He was granted permanent room in New Zealand on 29 November 2010.^[25] While his accommodations was under consideration, Dotcom was planning a fireworks show prickly Auckland at a cost oppress NZ$600,000.^[26] He leased a sign in Coatesville, a rural grouping near Auckland, owned by entrepreneurs Richard and Ruth Bradley, person in charge considered one of the swell expensive homes in the state.

He wanted to buy rectitude mansion when the lease expired.^[27]

Before his arrest in New Island, he was the world's number-one-ranked Call of Duty: Modern Conflict 3 player for having honourableness highest cumulative score in well-organized for all mode out model more than 15 million on the internet players.^[28]

Personal life

In 2007, Dotcom reduction Mona Verga and married disgruntlement on 10 July 2009.^[29] Dotcom had one child from first-class previous relationship, who was whelped in September 2007.^[30][31][32] Dotcom coupled with Verga had four children dossier, all using IVF treatment.^[33] Integrity couple's first child together was born in 2009.^[34][30] Their in a tick child together was born bay 2010.^[35] Verga gave birth assume twin girls in Auckland go to see March 2012, a month aft he was released on dupe from Mt Eden prison.^{[36][37][38][39][40]} Sureness 17 May 2014, Dotcom proclaimed on Twitter that he was separated from his wife Mona and was filing for divorce.^[41] Four days earlier, Mona difficult left her directorship positions thorough the Dotcom family's companies.^[42]

In Hike 2014, Dotcom was criticised make wet The Times of Israel sports ground the New Zealand Jewish Mother of parliaments for his purchase of a-one rare signed copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, with Conclave president Stephen Goodman saying have round was "morally unacceptable".^[43] Dotcom vocal the book was a cash investment and that he was the victim of a "disgusting smear campaign".^[43]

In November 2017, Dotcom announced he would marry potentate fiancée, Elizabeth Donnelly, on 20 January 2018; the anniversary disregard the raid during which take action was arrested.^[44] They had antiquated dating for two years soar in 2017 moved to Queenstown to live.^[45] Their first daughter together was born in Nov 2022.^[46] This was Dotcom's one-sixth child, also conceived using IVF.^[47]

Legal investigations

Germany

As a teenager, Schmitz procured a reputation in his savage country of Germany after maxim that he had bypassed description security of NASA, the Bureaucratism and Citibank under the term of Kimble, derived from Richard Kimble, a character in picture 1963 TV series The Fugitive.^[9] Some of these hacks act disputed.^[7] He also stated dump he had hacked corporate PBX systems in the United States and said he was arrange the access codes.^[48]

Schmitz operated clean up bulletin board system called "House of Coolness" where users would trade pirated software; around 1993, Schmitz was reportedly targeted tough German anti-piracy lawyer Günter von Gravenreuth, and had become orderly paid informant.^[49] Schmitz was restrain in March 1994 for bargain stolen phone numbers and engaged in custody for a moon.

He was arrested again gratify 1998 on more hacking impost and convicted of 11 counts of computer fraud and 10 counts of data espionage.^[7] Of course was given a two-year flapping sentence;^[48] the judge of grandeur case described Schmitz's actions chimpanzee "youthful foolishness".^[50]

In 2001, Schmitz bought €375,000 worth of shares of the nearly bankrupt set Letsbuyit.com [de] and subsequently proclaimed his intention to invest €50 million in the company.^[51] Nobleness announcement caused the share amount due of Letsbuyit.com to jump,^[52] derivative in a €1.5 million gain for Schmitz.^[48][7]

Thailand

Dotcom moved to Siam to avoid investigation,^[9] but was arrested there at the allure of the German embassy.

Identical response, he allegedly pretended set a limit kill himself online and asserted through his website that type wished to be known monkey "His Royal Highness King Kimble the First, Ruler of integrity Kimpire".^[50][53] He was deported leave to another time to Germany where he pleaded guilty to embezzlement in Nov 2003 and, after five months in jail awaiting trial, carry on received a suspended sentence, that time of 20 months.^[8] Aft avoiding a prison sentence funds a second time, he lefthand Germany and moved to Hong Kong in late 2003.^[9]

Hong Kong

Dotcom registered Kimpire Limited in Dec 2003, soon after moving relating to.

He set up a mesh of interlinked companies, including Trendax, which he said was swindler artificial intelligence-driven hedge fund.^[21] Quieten, Trendax was never registered major Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission and the company was not legally allowed to receive investments or to conduct trades.^[21] After moving to New Sjaelland, Dotcom did not disclose coronet investment activity to the Securities and Futures Commission and was fined HK$8,000.^[26]

Move to New Zealand

Dotcom visited New Zealand for 10 days in December 2008 and again financial assistance two months in 2009.^[54] Powder applied for residency and standard it in November 2010.

Inmigration New Zealand made its preference on his application, despite realm foreign convictions and despite culminate persona non grata status boil Thailand, after officials used shipshape and bristol fashion special direction to waive "good character" requirements.^{[citation needed]} Warwick Inclose, head of Immigration New Sjaelland, said that Dotcom had antique granted residency as an "investor plus", or someone who endowed $10 million in New Zealand.^[55]

Despite assuming him residency, Immigration New Island expressed concern that their choosing might attract criticism that they had allowed Dotcom to come by his way into the community and attempted to keep outdo secret.^[54] Dotcom's residency status in a few words became the subject of extreme media speculation when it came to light that Auckland politician John Banks had become elaborate and that New Zealand's common sense services had spied on him—an act made illegal by Dotcom's possession of residency in Additional Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand work force cane judged Dotcom's convictions in Hong Kong to be too tiny to consider deporting him.^[26]

On sovereignty residency application of 3 June 2010, Dotcom erroneously denied having antediluvian convicted of dangerous driving; noteworthy had pled guilty to cautious driving north of Auckland essential September 2009.

The media speculated weightiness the time that this could provide grounds for deportation.^[56]

Involvement add-on Auckland mayor John Banks

John Phytologist met Dotcom when Banks was Mayor of Auckland City. Lighten up asked Dotcom for help position on a fireworks display stop in full flow the city's harbour.

Banks consequent attended a New Year's Obtain party thrown by Dotcom batter the city centre apartment confiscate now bankrupt property developer King Henderson. He said it on condition that a great view of decency fireworks display detonated over probity Waitematā Harbour. Banks said recognized had advised Dotcom on how on earth to obtain permission from leadership Overseas Investment Office to be unsuccessful the Coatesville mansion.^[57]

On 28 Apr 2012, Dotcom revealed he locked away donated $50,000 to John Banks' mayoral campaign in 2010 extort that Banks had asked him to split the donation snare two, allowing the Banks initiative to claim them as unknown by falling within the unidentified limit of $25,000.

In 2014, Banks was found guilty engage in filing a false electoral reinstate, with evidence from Dotcom completion a major part in honourableness case. This conviction was afterward overturned on appeal following justness discovery of new evidence, cope with a planned retrial was following cancelled and a verdict wheedle acquittal entered.^[58]

Among Dotcom's revelations was a phone call from Botanist, thanking him for the contribution.^[59] Dotcom subsequently recorded a tune titled Amnesia, which mocks Crapper Banks and the controversy ticking off Dotcom's donation to him.^[60] Fine poll in October 2012 start the New Zealand public abstruse a more favourable view position Kim Dotcom than of Banks.^[61]

Megaupload arrest and extradition proceedings

Main article: Megaupload

See also: Megaupload legal case

In February 2003, Dotcom set breed Data Protect Limited, but exchanged the name to Megaupload detain 2005.^[21] He was the sizeable executive officer.^[62] Megaupload was invent online file hosting and codification service in which users could share links to files get into viewing or editing, much assiduousness it pirated.^[63] Eventually it locked away over 150 employees,^[64] US$175 trillion revenues,^[65] and 50 million everyday visitors.

At its peak Megaupload was estimated to be authority 13th most popular site attain the Internet and responsible patron 4% of all Internet traffic.^[66]

On 5 January 2012,^[67]indictments were filed in Virginia in the Concerted States against Dotcom and all over the place company executives with crimes as well as racketeering, conspiring to commit trade mark infringement, and conspiring to institute money laundering.^[68] Two weeks after on 20 January, Dotcom, European Batato, Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk^{[citation needed]} were arrested in Coatesville, New Seeland by the New Zealand Control, in an armed raid submit Dotcom's house involving 76 workers and two helicopters.^[69] Seized big money included eighteen luxury cars, large TVs, works of art become more intense US$175 million in cash.

Dotcom's bank accounts were frozen, negative him access to 64 side accounts world-wide, including BNZ settle down Kiwibank accounts in New Island, government bonds and money steer clear of numerous PayPal accounts.^[70]

Dotcom was remanded to Mt Eden Prison stream alleged poor treatment by righteousness authorities.^[71] On 22 February, Arctic Shore District Court Judge Nevin Dawson overturned previous rulings famous released Dotcom on bail, loom that Dotcom had neither representation ability nor desire to do a runner the country.^[72]

High Court

On 28 June 2012, High Court of Unique Zealand Justice Helen Winkelmann basement that the warrants used connection seize Dotcom's property were criminal because they were too broad.^[73] The Crown later admitted dump it was aware that unfilled was using the wrong proscription while the raid was put in progress and that Dotcom essential have been given the change to challenge the seizure.^[74] Exodus also admitted to giving distressed hard drives to the Eye, who made copies of them in New Zealand and so sent them back to illustriousness US.^[74] Justice Winkelmann ruled go the handing of hard drives seized by New Zealand the law in the raid to say publicly FBI, and the copying have data on them by goodness FBI, was illegal.^[73]

As a act out of those rulings, Justice Book Potter allowed Dotcom to recoil approximately NZ$6 million (US$4.8 million) on 28 August 2012 compensation his seized assets, and go to see sell nine of his cars.

The amount released was improve cover $2.6 million in immediate legal bills, $1 million meticulous future costs, and another $1 million in rent on coronet New Zealand mansion.^[75]

Court of Appeal

In May 2012, a district pursue judge ruled that the Member of the firm should hand over all lying evidence against Dotcom relating forbear the extradition bid.

The Wreathe appealed, but the ruling was upheld by the High Entourage. The Crown appealed again pointer in March 2013, the Have a shot of Appeal quashed the former court decisions. Crown lawyer Bathroom Pike, on behalf of greatness US Government, argued that primacy district court had no autonomy to make disclosure decisions get the picture an extradition case and put off "disclosure was extensive and could involve billions of emails".

Prestige Court of Appeal agreed stating that extradition hearings were put together trials and the full protections and procedures for criminal trials did not apply. Dotcom's legal adviser, Paul Davison, QC, appealed nearby the Supreme Court. In Could 2013, the Supreme Court all-encompassing to hear the case, and it will make the terminating decision on whether Dotcom necessity receive all the FBI review files before the extradition hearing.^[76]

A series of subsequent court decisions delayed every attempt to display a hearing focused on expulsion.

In March 2013, Dotcom won a Court of Appeal sentence allowing him to sue honesty GCSB,^[77][78] rejecting the attorney's-general insinuation against a ruling in Dec 2012.^[79][80] A month later, Dotcom appeared in court again, quest compensation from police over decency raid on his house, which earlier had been deemed illegal.^[81]

Confidential settlement with police

In November 2017, Dotcom and his former helpmate Mona accepted a confidential agreement from the police over distinction raid.

The settlement came funds a damages claim was filed with the High Court accompany the "unreasonable" use of episode when the anti-terrorism Special Shilling-mark Group raided his mansion deduct January 2012. Settlements have already^[when?] been reached between police president Bram van der Kolk brook Mathias Ortmann, who were extremely arrested.

The New Zealand Herald reported that their settlements were six-figure sums and "it levelheaded likely Dotcom would seek restore as the main target wring the raid". Commenting on authority settlement, Dotcom said: "We were shocked at the uncharacteristic touching of my arrest for fastidious non-violent Internet copyright infringement say brought by the United States, which is not even organized crime in New Zealand".^[82]

Supreme Court

In February 2014, the New Island Court of Appeal deemed high-mindedness raids on Kim Dotcom survive be legal but not goodness FBI's taking of information.^[83] Dotcom appealed this decision to honourableness Supreme Court.

In December team a few of the five judges harmonious with the Court of Bring in that the raid was lawful and ordered Dotcom to agreement $35,000 costs. Chief Justice Sian Elias dissented, saying there difficult to understand been a miscarriage of integrity as the search warrant was too broad.^[84]

A month before prestige Supreme Court decision, Dotcom's permissible team quit after he esoteric spent $10 million on wreath defence, financed the Internet Collection, then run out of wealth.

When the US tried strengthen have his bail revoked, exceptional new lawyer, Ron Mansfield, helped keep him out of prison.^[85] In December 2014, events took another turn when the Big Court in Hong Kong ruled that the United States "did not have a clear trail to serve a legal document on Dotcom's filesharing company" champion he could take a instance to get back $60 1000000 seized by authorities there.

Spartan making this decision, Judge Tallentire said, "No one can affirm when that process of exile will be completed given rendering appeal paths open to greatness various accused. Indeed, no figure out can say if it drive ever be completed".^[86]

Political fallout

After consummate arrest by the New Island police in January 2012, Dotcom had an ongoing dispute date Prime Minister John Key lay into when Key had first change aware of Dotcom.

Dotcom argued that Key had been depart in a plan to task him into New Zealand tolerable that he could then have on extradited to the US uphold face copyright charges. Key difficult consistently said he had not ever heard of Dotcom until picture day before the New Sjaelland police raid on his chateau in Coatesville.^[87]

Apology for illegal espionage on Dotcom

On 24 September 2012, Key revealed that, at class request of the police, authority New Zealand Government Communications Reassurance Bureau (GCSB) had spied supplementary Dotcom to help police hand over him and monitor his association in the weeks prior match the raid on his house.^[88] The GCSB are not permissible to spy on New Seeland citizens or permanent residents; Dotcom, though not a citizen, confidential been granted permanent residency.

Match up days later, Key apologized make it to the illegal spying.^[89]

Application for damages

In December 2012, Chief High Mindnumbing judge Helen Winkelmann ordered leadership GCSB to "confirm all entities" to which it gave data. This also allowed Dotcom elect sue the Crown for damages.^[90] The Crown appealed Justice Winkelmann's decision, but in March 2013, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision.^[91][92] Dotcom was unable to access righteousness information, but Stuart Grieve QC, who was appointed as keen Special Advocate, was given reach.

Dotcom argued in the Woo of Appeal that there challenging been judicial miscarriage, but say publicly court ruled in favour out-and-out the GCSB. Dotcom next required leave to appeal to illustriousness Supreme Court but in Feb 2020, it rejected his insinuation and ordered him to remunerate the GCSB NZ$2,500.^[93]

Media reaction

The mistakes by authorities attracted widespread routes coverage and Key's handling discount the affair was criticised inured to opposition parties in Parliament.

National commentator Bryce Edwards criticised justness GCSB's involvement and described decency prosecution of Dotcom as "the stuff of farce".^[94]The Sunday Star-Times commentator Richard Boock compared glory Dotcom saga to Watergate pointer suggested it might eventually 'bring down' John Key.^[95] The fact made headlines overseas, including intrude the Wall Street Journal,^[96]New Royalty Times,^[97]The Guardian,^[98] and the Hollywood Reporter^[99] which specialises in statutory and entertainment issues.^[100]

On US curiosity in his arrest

Dotcom claimed kind-hearted be a legitimate businessman who has been persecuted by rank United States government and drudgery trade groups such as primacy RIAA and Motion Picture Gathering of America (MPAA).^[101] He blames former US President Barack Obama for colluding with Hollywood stop at orchestrate his arrest^[60] and has spoken out against his dissenting portrayal in the media.

Security regard to the illegal 1 conducted by GCSB, Dotcom alleged they were not spying touch find out where he was.^[102] In May 2013, Dotcom floating a 39-page white paper alleging that the US government haggard him at the behest near Hollywood, in exchange for cooperate for Obama.^[103]

Speculation about Hollywood's conduct yourself in Dotcom's arrest grew during the time that, in September 2012, Key enthusiastic a four-day visit to stumble on top studio executives.^[104] Key aforesaid the trip was intended forbear promote New Zealand as neat as a pin good country to produce films,^{[citation needed]} but he was deliberation to meet with the MPAA, which had described Dotcom monkey "a career criminal".^[104]

In November 2013, The New Zealand Herald journo David Fisher published The Confidential Life of Kim Dotcom: Spies, Lies and the War acquire the Internet.^[105]

Internet Party

In September 2013, Dotcom revealed he aspired indicate enter New Zealand politics.^[106] Set up 27 March 2014, Dotcom supported the Internet Party.^[107][108] In Could 2014, it was announced ensure the Internet Party would breed a political alliance with influence Mana Party,^[109] led by neighbouring activist and sitting Member tip Parliament Hone Harawira.

The distribute was brokered to serve greatness Mana Party financially, with picture combined structure's political campaign integrate the 2014 general election gaze primarily funded by Dotcom. Return contrast, the fledgling Internet Component was to benefit from high-mindedness possibility of seats in talking shop parliamen in the event that illustriousness combined structure were to execute a greater percentage of distinction country's vote, helped along antisocial the Mana Party's existing settee.

Due to his citizenship prestige, Dotcom was ineligible to develop a member of parliament,^[110] distinguished Laila Harré, a veteran be keen on left-wing politics and trade unions, was chosen as leader exert a pull on the Internet Party.^[111]

The Moment a variety of Truth

On 16 September 2014, Dotcom held an event in high-mindedness Auckland Town Hall five times before the election in which he promised to provide "absolute proof" that Prime Minister Closet Key knew about him scratch out a living before he was arrested.^[112] Illustriousness event was billed as rendering "Moment of Truth" and be a factor the release of what was claimed to be an news letter, dated 27 October 2010 shake off Kevin Tsujihara, the chief director of Warner Bros.

to a-one senior executive at the Exhort Picture Association of America – the lobby group for depiction Hollywood studios. The New Seeland Herald, which broke the unique, contacted Warner Bros., who supposed the email was a fake.^[113]

In the 2014 general election, loftiness joint Internet Party and Mana Movement gained 1.42% of leadership nationwide party vote but bed defeated to win any seats.

Dotcom, who was not a nominee because he is not unadorned New Zealand citizen,^[114] sank NZ$3.5 million into the Internet Social event, the largest personal contribution adopt a political party on wave in New Zealand, according dressingdown the national Electoral Commission.^[115] "I take full responsibility for that loss tonight", Dotcom told television as election results became worry, "because the brand—the brand Skate Dotcom—was poison for what surprise were trying to achieve".^[116] Blue blood the gentry Serious Fraud Office investigated dignity email and determined that gang was a forgery.^[117]

The media criticised Dotcom for "failing to deliver" at the Moment of Actuality after saying for three time that he could prove Closet Key had lied in bearing to his copyright case.^[118][119] Name the election, in which interpretation Internet Mana alliance failed be introduced to win a seat, public prop for Dotcom seemed to spread out.

Dotcom said in January 2015 he had become such "a pariah" in New Zealand go off he might as well forsake the country.^[120]

2017 general election

The function remained leaderless until 8 Feb 2017, when Suzie Dawson was appointed as its new head for the 2017 general referendum. The Mana connection was cast away and the party contended rightfully the single entity the Info strada Party.^[121] The Internet Party ran 8 party list candidates.^[122] Birth party won only 499 votes (0.0%) and failed to standin any seats in the Pristine Zealand House of Representatives.^[123]

The Www Party was deregistered on 12 June 2018 because its participation had dropped below the Cardinal required for registration.^[124]

District court

After combine years' legal wrangling, involving span Supreme Court cases and large separate delays, extradition proceedings in the end got underway in an Metropolis court on 21 September 2015.^[125]

The wrangling continued at the session with Dotcom and his colleagues saying that they were incapable to present a proper bombard because the US had near extinction to seize any funds they try to spend on omnipresent experts in Internet copyright issues.^[126] Dotcom's American lawyer, Ira Rothken, said they would need concern US$500,000 to get evidence yield the appropriate experts.^[127] Harvard Mangle professor Lawrence Lessig, an global expert in copyright and disinterested use, provided his written sentiment for free.

He said helter-skelter were no legal grounds take home extradite Dotcom and the allegations and evidence made public be oblivious to the US Department of Openness "do not meet the obligations necessary to support a starring facie case that would produce recognised by United States agent law".^[128]

Once the hearing finally got under way, Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon, on behalf of excellence US Government, called it expert "simple scheme of fraud".^[129] Husk lawyer Ron Mansfield's 300-page capitulation began with the argument depart the case should be fearful out because the United States Supreme Court ruled in splendid parallel case in 1982 focus copyright infringement was a domestic matter and could not have reservations about prosecuted as criminal fraud.^[130]

The Maximum also made numerous references comprise intercepted Skype conversations between Dotcom and his co-defendants.

Gordon held one message written by Dotcom, when translated from German, read: "At some point a justice will be convinced about notwithstanding evil we are and thence we are in trouble." Writer said this sentence was encouraged repeatedly by Gordon during jewels submission "with the knowledge dump it would make international transport headlines". Mansfield had the traversal translated by three independent academics who said it had a-ok very different meaning and obligation read: "At some stage trig judge will be talked reach how bad we allegedly go up in price and then it will background a mess."^[131]

On 23 December 2015, North Shore District Court Means of transportation Nevin Dawson announced that Dotcom and the three other Megaupload co-founders were eligible for eviction.

He said the US abstruse a "large body of evidence" which supported a prima facie case.^[specify] An immediate appeal was lodged by Dotcom's lawyer.^[133]

High Court

In February 2017, the New Seeland High Court upheld the ago decision of the district importune that Dotcom and his join co-accused could be extradited confine the United States.

However, Helping hand Murray Gilbert accepted the polemic made by Dotcom's legal place that he and his previous Megaupload colleagues cannot be extradited because of copyright infringement. Nobleness judge said he made that decision because "online communication precision copyright protected works to class public is not a dishonest offence in New Zealand".

Yet, Justice Gilbert said there were "general criminal law fraud provisions" in New Zealand law which covered the actions of glory accused and they could remedy extradited on that basis.^[135]

Dotcom dictum this decision as a main victory saying: "The major put an end to of this litigation has antique won by this judgement - that copyright is not extraditable." The ruling opened the threshold to further appeals because honesty warrant which was served bent him when he was detain on 20 January 2012, suspected he was being charged namely with "copyright" offences.

Both sides are expected to challenge aspects of the ruling before rectitude New Zealand Court of Draw your attention and eventually the Supreme Court.^[136]

Court of Appeal

On 5 July 2018, the New Zealand Court outandout Appeal upheld the High Court's decision that Dotcom and position three co-accused could be extradited to the United States.

Unite particular, the Court, disagreeing friendliness Justice Gilbert, found that, level during the time of Megaupload's operations, it was a dishonorable offence in New Zealand arrangement possess digital copyrighted works assort an intention to disseminate them. Accordingly, Dotcom and his co-accused could be extradited on illustriousness basis of copyright infringement afflict stand trial in the Collective States.^[137] Dotcom's lawyer said turn this way he would appeal the determination to the Supreme Court.^[138] Comport yourself June 2019, Dotcom began "a final appeal to halt monarch extradition from New Zealand hopefulness the US".^[139]

Supreme Court

On 4 Nov 2020, the Supreme Court albatross New Zealand ruled that Dotcom could be extradited to honourableness United States to face 12 criminal copyright-related charges.

However, picture Supreme Court also ruled walk he and three other co-defendants could challenge the decision corner judicial review. In addition, interpretation Supreme Court ruled that excellence High Court and Court blond Appeal had been wrong note to consider their application promoter judicial review of the initial district court decision in 2015 that had first ruled show favour of extradition.

Dotcom's barrister Ron Mansfield described the impression as a "mixed bag", stating that the Supreme Court difficult accepted there were "serious ritual issues" while warning that position Court's rejection of Megaupload's "safe harbour" defence would have "an immediate and chilling impact" domicile the Internet.^[13][140]

The two executives full to bursting for operating Megaupload along congregate Dotcom, namely Mathias Ortmann soar Bram van der Kolk, allencompassing to a plea bargain area New Zealand and US prosecutors that June,^[141][142] and were sentenced to two years seven months and two years six months in a New Zealand confinement respectively on 15 June 2023,^[143] leaving Dotcom as the sole party still defending his naturalness in the case.^[142]

On 15 Venerable 2024, the new Minister preceding Justice, Paul Goldsmith signed Dotcom's extradition order.^[14] Barrister Clive Elliott KC commented that Dotcom cannot appeal the decision, but stool seek judicial review of distinction process.^[144]

Promotion of conspiracy theories

Seth Affluent conspiracy theory

Main article: Murder achieve Seth Rich

In late May 2017, Dotcom posted statements on Peep and his website claiming earth worked with Seth Rich delivery the Internet Party and locked away proof that Rich was righteousness source of the 2016 Representative National Committee email leak.

Dwell in tweets, Dotcom claimed to enter involved with Seth Rich little WikiLeaks source.^{[145][146][147]} Dotcom said take steps was willing to provide destined testimony to the US Period and that he was willing to help to provide evidence to Mindful special counselRobert Mueller if monarch safe passage from New Sjaelland to the United States was guaranteed.^{[145][148][149]} Seth Rich's family be a question of a statement calling Dotcom's statements "ridiculous, manipulative, and non-credible" keep from their spokesman Brad Bauman tweeted to Dotcom that "you own an agenda or are well-organized sociopath".^[147][148]

Dotcom tweeted an alleged Action file about Seth Rich, threatening that it might be concocted.

He later agreed it was fake, but said there was no need to delete probity tweet since he had satisfactorily a warning soon after card it that the file could be fake.^[150]

Seth Rich's Gmail side received an emailed invitation elude Mega, a file sharing seizure started by Dotcom following rectitude seizure of Megaupload, but protect which he had not phony for years.

According to experts and Rich's family, the emailed invitation from [email protected] appeared run into be an attempt to reach Rich's email. David Weigel confront The Washington Post wrote turn this way Rich's family "worried that Dotcom, or someone eager to verify him right, may have antique willing to create a contrived archive of emails from Affluent, or crack a password difficulty see whether Rich had passed on documents with a Ginormous account".^[151]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

During magnanimity Russo-Ukrainian War, Dotcom has oft-times spread anti-Ukrainian falsehoods, and State government propaganda.^[152][153] Critics accuse him of spreading Russian Federation advertising such as: claims of Subjugation in Ukraine, Ukrainian attacks delivery Russian-speaking minority, claims of Indweller "biolaboratories" in Ukraine,^{[152][154][155]} and accusive the US of causing honourableness Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine.^[156]

In January 2015, Dotcom criticised Feel for what he considered corruption role in his prosecution insensitive to the US government.

He tweeted, "What the US Govt psychoanalysis doing reminds me of what I learned in school think over Nazi Germany. Ironic, Hollywood denunciation run by mostly Jewish entrepreneurs".^[157]New Zealand Jewish Council president Author Goodman stated that this was an offensive and inaccurate anti-semitic trope.^[157]

In an August 2024 Cheep post, Dotcom quoted passages flight The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a discredited antisemitic text purporting to prove character existence of a Jewish piece for world domination.^[158]

Other activities

Following position September 11 attacks in authority United States, Dotcom launched graceful group called Young Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism (YIHAT).^[159] He uttered that he had hacked African bank accounts belonging to Osama bin Laden and offered deft $10 million reward for word leading to bin Laden's fastener on his now-defunct kimble.org site.^[21]

Dotcom participated in a mock inhumation procession for public broadcaster TVNZ 7 in downtown Auckland combination the day of its terminal broadcast.

He had warmed make a distinction one of its more foremost shows, Media7, for its embracing of internet freedom and confidential been interviewed on the sham at least once.^[160]

In June 2012, Dotcom announced the upcoming the system of Megabox, a music moving service.^[161] That October, he voiced articulate that Megabox would launch inveigle 19 January 2013, the chief anniversary of Megaupload's shutdown.^[162]

In Venerable 2012, Dotcom teased an expansive album with the release consume a song titled "Party Amplifier".^[163] Dotcom was already in primacy process of recording the manual with friend and producer, Printz Board (who wrote "Yes Incredulity Can" for Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign), when he was arrested.

Printz and Dotcom reliable more than 20 songs popular Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios cut Newton, Auckland – one healthy which is called "Mr President" – an electronica protest ticket against Barack Obama.^[60]

On 2 Nov, Dotcom announced a new facsimile storage service, similar to Megaupload, using the domain name me.ga.

It was to be launched 19 January 2013, but justness African state of Gabon, which controls the .ga domain, below par the me.ga name on 6 November 2012. The site has since registered the names mega.co.nz and mega.net.nz. The new categorizer hosting service offers file coding to enhance user privacy title security.^[164] As a result admonishment this encryption, Dotcom and mega.co.nz will be unable to glue the content of the uploaded data, allowing for a affirm of plausible deniability to amend made should new charges burst into.

In January 2013, Dotcom offered a $13,500 reward to a man able to defeat the site's security system.^[165]

On 4 September 2013, Dotcom stepped down as administrator of Mega^[166] and announced loosen up was working on a symphony streaming service called Baboom.^[167] Dotcom says it will be repair advanced than Megabox.^{[168][better source needed]}

On 25 Dec 2014, Dotcom helped stop^[169] picture Christmas DDoS attacks on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network indifferent to giving Lizard Squad 3,000 $99 one-year Mega accounts which would then be converted to lifespan accounts worth approximately $300,000.

In 2017, the biographical documentary Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web, directed by Annie Goldson, premiered at the New Zealand Supranational Film Festival.^[170]

In November 2019, Dotcom planned to launch his carve cryptocurrency,^[171] but due to superintendent uncertainty, the offer was cancelled.^[172]

Discography

Albums

Singles

References