Megaupload founder accuses New Zealand
police of beating him
Reuters - 3 hours ago
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Kim Dotcom, the
founder of the Megaupload online file-sharing
site embroiled in U.S. piracy and fraud
investigations, said on Tuesday New Zealand
police punched and kicked him during a raid on
his mansion.
Dotcom, a German national who is fighting
extradition to the United States from New
Zealand, said he was terrified during a raid in
January by armed police using helicopters.
He said when he heard shouting and banging
he went to a safe room, where police found
him.
"And then they were all over me. I had a punch
to the face, boots kicking me down to the
floor," Dotcom said in court.
"I was screaming and I was in pain ... I told
them there was no need for punching me or
hurting me and please stop."
Acting on a request from the U.S. Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New Zealand
authorities raided Dotcom's rented estate
outside Auckland, confiscating computers and
hard drives, art work and luxury cars.
However, the raid and seizure of evidence has
since been ruled illegal and the court hearing
this week is to determine what should happen
to the seized material.
The FBI says Dotcom led a group that has
netted $175 million since 2005 by copying and
distributing music, movies and other
copyrighted content without authorisation.
Lawyers for the flamboyant entrepreneur say
the company simply offered online storage.
Dotcom and three others were arrested in the
raid. Dotcom was kept in custody for a month
before being granted bail.
The hearing is scheduled to last until Thursday.
A New Zealand court is due to hear an
application from U.S. authorities to extradite
Dotcom on internet piracy, money laundering
and breach of copyright charges in March.
(Reporting by Gyles Beckford; Editing by Robert
Birsel)
Source : http://m.yahoo.com/legobpengine/news
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