The MegaSaga continues with MegaUpload founder Kim Dotcom accusing police of assault and being denied bail… again.
TorrentFreak reported on the hearing at the New Zealand High Court today where Dotcom continued the fight against extradition to the United States where he would be tried for copyright infringement, racketeering and money laundering.
During the hearing, Paul Davison, Dotcom’s lawyer, appealed the decision last week that denied him bail. The defense said that Dotcom has several health-related problems which can not be properly dealt with in prison. They also added that he wanted to be with his wife who is currently carrying twins.
His defense added that just because Dotcom has access to a private jet and a helicopter, it doesn’t mean that he would use them to escape the country.
As for the charges of police brutality, Dotcom alleges that police assaulted him after finding him in his panic room.
“I was punched in the face, I was kicked down on the floor,” Dotcom said. “One guy was standing on my hand so my nail was ruptured and my hand was bleeding, it was quite aggressive.”
Dotcom has also received strange visits during his time in prison including many women who wanted to be “his friend.”
He also received phone calls from people saying they could help him get bail in exchange for money, including somebody who claimed to be a document forger.
“If people were to approach me and to offer such a service, I would tell them to go to hell,” Dotcom said. “I have no desire to run away.”
The lawyer for the U.S. government, Anne Toohey, argued that the chances of Dotcom fleeing were too high. The court agreed, describing Dotcom as “an extreme flight risk.” He is scheduled to appear in court again on February 22 for an extradition hearing.
As an added bonus, here’s a recording of his hearing where the man himself argues for MegaUpload’s legitimacy and his desire to fight the allegations on a “level playing field.”