MegaUpload: Kim 'Dotcom' Schmitz Leaves Jail

A month after the arrest of Kim Schmitz/Dotcom, the founder of MegaUpload, the courts in New Zealand have granted him bail.

Judge Nevin Dawson had at first rejected Kim Schmitz's request for bail as he had previously fled to Thailand on being granted bail in Germany in a separate case. The other site executives were freed shortly after being arrested and Kim Schmitz has now also been allowed to leave prison. Accused of conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, new charges have also been made against Megaupload. Freed but confined to his house and required to wear an electronic bracelet, Schmitz is also banned from using the Internet and reserving any helicopter flights.

Schmitz has declared himself relieved to be able to return home to his family. Authorities in the US must now formalise their request for extradition by March 2nd at the latest. The case will be heard in August and will last for three weeks. The founder of Megaupload risks twenty years in prison.



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