Bail for two in Dotcom drama
Kim Dotcom's Megaupload associates Bram van der Kolk and Finn Batato were this afternoon granted bail after a judge decided neither posed serious flight risk.
Kim Dotcom’s Megaupload associates Bram van der Kolk and Finn Batato were this afternoon granted bail after a judge decided neither posed serious flight risk.
Late submissions means Mathias Ortmann’s bail application was adjourned to continue in North Shore district court on Friday afternoon.
Judge David McNaughton said Mr van der Kolk, a Dutch citizen who lives in Orakei, Auckland, should be granted bail because presented the least flight risk.
The judge said the risk of flight was minimal and such risk that remained could be met by the imposition of strict bail conditions including electronic monitoring, the judge said.
Mr van der Kolk is the lead programmer for Mega Upload, owner of Mega Upload.com – the main website used to facilitate the operation of the conspiracy alleged by the United States government.
Mr Batato, a German citizen and chief marketing and sales officer for Mega Media and Mega Upload, was also considered a low flight risk which could be met by appropriate bail conditions.
All bail applications were opposed by the Crown law office, on behalf of US authorities – essentially the FBI.
Queen’s counsel Paul Davison said no date had yet been set for a bail appeal by Mr Dotcom, regarded a serious flight risk, who remains in custody after being refused bail on Wednesday.
Jock Anderson
Thu, 26 Jan 2012
Thu, 26 Jan 2012
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Bail for two in Dotcom drama
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