Megaupload boss Dotcom gets bail
February 22, 2012
North Shore District Court Judge Nevin Dawson said that any funds Dotcom could have used to flee New Zealand had already been seized by police.
US authorities allege Dotcom facilitated millions of illegal downloads through his company. He had been in custody in New Zealand since his arrest on January 20.
"I am relieved to go home to see my family, my three little kids and my pregnant wife," he said. "And I hope you understand that that is all I want to say right now."
US authorities are trying to extradite Dotcom, 38, on charges of causing revenue losses to movie makers and songwriters worth half a billion dollars.
Millions of dollars in investments and assets including luxury cars were seized during the police swoop to net Dotcom, who was born Kim Schmitz in Germany but legally changed his name some years ago.
He holds both German and Finnish citizenship and was granted New Zealand residency in 2010. He has also lived in Hong Kong, where Megaupload is officially registered.
dfm/ng (AP, AFP)