Kim Dotcom, the German-Finnish entrepreneur behind the now-defunct file-sharing site Megaupload and the crypto platform BitCache, has publicly declared his intent to resist extradition to the United States. This announcement follows the recent decision by New Zealand's Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, to approve an extradition order against Dotcom.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) dated August 15, Dotcom affirmed his commitment to remain in New Zealand, stating, "I love New Zealand. I’m not leaving." His legal team quickly echoed his sentiments, signaling their plans to fight the extradition through judicial review.
The US government has long sought Dotcom’s extradition, accusing him of causing over $500 million in losses to movie and music studios by allowing copyrighted material to be uploaded and shared on Megaupload. However, Dotcom maintains that he is being unfairly targeted, particularly criticizing New Zealand for what he describes as its subservience to US interests, calling the country an "obedient US colony."
Dotcom's defense team, led by tech attorney Ira Rothken, is preparing to challenge the extradition in New Zealand's High Court. Rothken highlighted numerous alleged injustices in the case, including illegal raids, spying, destruction of evidence, and obstacles to securing a fair trial in the US.
Dotcom has been embroiled in legal battles with the US for over a decade. He claims the US government's pursuit of him began due to his financial support for WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, after the release of the "Collateral Murder" video, which exposed US war crimes.
Despite the ongoing legal pressures, Dotcom remains defiant, stating that he would make the same choices again in support of WikiLeaks. Known for his advocacy for digital rights and his support for cryptocurrency, Dotcom continues to use his platform to challenge the US government's actions.
Kim Dotcom, originally named Kim Schmitz, legally changed his surname in 2005, the same year he founded Megaupload. Although he has faced significant legal challenges, including the liquidation of his crypto startup Bitcache in 2023, Dotcom continues to be a prominent figure in both the tech and crypto communities.
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