How Kim Dotcom could exploit criminal connections
The judge who issued search warrants on the Dotcom Four says alleged internet pirate Kim Dotcom is a real and significant flight risk, even if on electronic bail.
The judge who issued search warrants on the Dotcom Four says alleged internet pirate Kim Dotcom is a real and significant flight risk, even if on electronic bail.
RAW DATA: The judge's full decision (PDF) Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Judge David McNaughton denied Mr Dotcom bail today, remanding him in custody for an extradition hearing on February 22.
Bail applications by three arrested associates are underway today.
Flight risk and the risk of re-offending on bail must be considered in a bail application.
In a detailed decision (available in full as Raw Data on NBR Online) Judge McNaughton says it is impossible to determine at this stage if the US government has a strong case or whether Mr Dotcom has a good defence to the offences alleged.
The judge said he was sure Mr Dotcom had the financial resources to obtain forged identity or travel documents and to arrange transport out of New Zealand by covert means.
He said he could not exclude the possibility there were bank accounts and sources of cash available to Mr Dotcom at short notice.
Judge McNaughton said Mr Dotcom’s unlawful possession of a firearm suggested a level of criminality which could “easily extend to exploiting criminal connections to obtain false travel documents and leave the country undetected.”
For more details see the full court decision on NBR Online.
Jock Anderson
Wed, 25 Jan 2012
Wed, 25 Jan 2012
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How Kim Dotcom could exploit criminal connections
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