Megaupload founder accuses NZ police of beating him

August 06, 2012|Reuters

WELLINGTON, Aug 7 (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.

room, where police found him.

"And then they were all over me. I had a punch to the face,

"I was screaming and I was in pain ... I told them there was

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.