NZ Court bails two associates of Megaupload founder
Published January 26, 2012 | 
Dutchman Bram van der Kolk, 29, and Finn Batato, a 38-year-old German, who were arrested last Friday along with Megaupload’s founder, Kim Dotcom, were freed on bail. A decision on another accused, Mathias Ortman, was posed go until Friday pending further submissions on his bail application.
“I am satisfied that the risk of flight here is minimal and such risk as remains can be met by the imposition of strict bail weather including electronic monitoring,” Judge David McNaughton enunciated in a indited judgement.
A lawyer for the men received argued their role in the company was different from that of Dotcom, and they did not get secret sources of funds or multiple identities.
The United States wants to extradite completely four on charges of Internet piracy, copyright infringement, racketeering and money laundering.
Dotcom, 38, was refused bail on Wednesday because the judge believed there was a significant risk he could effort to flee New Zealand. He will reappear in courtroom on Feb. 22. His lawyer is preparing to appeal that decision, maintaining that Dotcom does not receive the agency to leave the country.
The defendants get pronounced they are innocent of the piracy and other charges, asserting the fellowship simply offered online storage.
An extradition application must be lodged within 45 days of an arrest, and the U.S. must prove the averred offences would exist crimes in New Zealand punishable by at least 12 months in jail.
Legal experts receive pronounced the extradition process is likely to be long and complex.
