Kim Dotcom, the embattled Finnish-German internet entrepreneur contesting deportation from New Zealand to the United States on charges linked to his file-sharing platform Megaupload, has reportedly suffered a "serious stroke." The announcement was made through a post on his X account Monday.
"I have the best health professionals helping me to make a recovery. I will be back as soon as I can. Please be patient and pray for my family and I," the post said.
UPDATE: I am recovering from a serious stroke. I have the best health professionals helping me to make a recovery. I will be back as soon as I can. Please be patient and pray for my family and I.
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) November 25, 2024Dotcom's lawyer, Ira Rothken, confirmed the accuracy of the statement but declined to elaborate further. Rothken did not clarify whether Dotcom himself or another individual wrote the post and refrained from sharing additional details about his client's condition.
What Is Dotcom's Current Legal Battle?
Dotcom is currently engaged in a prolonged legal battle against extradition from New Zealand to the United States. The U.S. government has charged him with copyright infringement, money laundering, and racketeering.
In August, New Zealand's justice minister ruled that Dotcom should be extradited to the United States to stand trial, marking a significant moment in the 12-year legal saga. No date for the extradition was specified, and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith stated that Dotcom would be granted "a short period of time to consider and take advice" regarding the decision.
At the time, Dotcom's lawyer, Ira Rothken, announced on X that his client planned to contest the extradition ruling through a judicial review. This legal process allows a judge to assess whether the decision by the justice minister was made appropriately and in accordance with the law.
Newsweek has reached out to Dotcom's legal representatives via email for comment.
What Is Dotcom's Current Legal Battle?
Dotcom is currently engaged in a prolonged legal battle against extradition from New Zealand to the United States. The U.S. government has charged him with copyright infringement, money laundering, and racketeering.
In August, New Zealand's justice minister ruled that Dotcom should be extradited to the United States to stand trial, marking a significant moment in the 12-year legal saga. No date for the extradition was specified, and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith stated that Dotcom would be granted "a short period of time to consider and take advice" regarding the decision.
At the time, Dotcom's lawyer, Ira Rothken, announced on X that his client planned to contest the extradition ruling through a judicial review. This legal process allows a judge to assess whether the decision by the justice minister was made appropriately and in accordance with the law.
Newsweek has reached out to Dotcom's legal representatives via email for comment.
What Is the History of Kim Dotcom's Extradition Case?
The legal battle dates back to 2012, when Dotcom was arrested in a high-profile raid on his Auckland mansion, along with other executives of his company. Prosecutors alleged that Megaupload, which was immensely popular at the time, had generated at least $175 million, primarily through users who utilized the platform to illegally download songs, television shows, and movies. The FBI shut down the website earlier that same year.
Lawyers for Dotcom and the others arrested argued that it was the users of Megaupload, founded in 2005, who made the choice to pirate content, not the platform's creators. However, prosecutors countered that the men were the masterminds behind a massive criminal operation. The U.S. Department of Justice characterized the case as the largest criminal copyright case in the nation's history.
What Was Dotcom's Response to the Attempts to Extradite Him?
The men fiercely contested the extradition order for years, openly criticizing the investigation and the manner of their arrests. However, in 2021, New Zealand's Supreme Court ruled that Dotcom and two associates could legally be extradited to the United States. The final decision on whether the extradition should proceed, however, rested with the country's Justice Minister.
"I love New Zealand. I'm not leaving," Dotcom wrote on X in August. He did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment at the time, or on Monday.
Two of Dotcom's former business partners opted to plead guilty to the charges against them—serving time in a New Zealand jail and avoiding extradition to the United States. Meanwhile, prosecutors dropped their extradition efforts against another associate, who later passed away from cancer.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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