By 3 News online staff
A large group of supporters have turned out at North Shore District Court ahead of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom’s bail hearing this morning.
On Monday Judge David McNaughton reserved his decision on bail for the internet piracy accused and this morning confirmed he would deliver it verbally at 10am.
If bail is granted, Dotcom will walk out of court - but under electronic monitoring.
Dotcom, 38, has been remanded in custody since Friday morning, when he and three associates were arrested during an extensive police raid at Dotcom’s Coatesville home, north of Auckland.
The four men, of which two are New Zealand residents, including Dotcom, are accused of racketeering, money laundering and internet copyright piracy in the United States amounting to $175 million in criminal proceeds.
The other three accused were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing later this week.
Judge McNaughton said the outcome of Dotcom's bail hearing would affect the bail decision for the other accused.
The Crown strongly opposes bail.
The accused do not face charges in New Zealand but local police have been aiding the FBI with investigations since August last year.
Prosecutor Anne Toohey said Dotcom was an "extreme" flight risk as he had access to large amounts of money, held three passports in different names and had been deported from Thailand in 2010.
Dotcom's lawyer Paul Davison told the court Dotcom had left Thailand at his own free will and since 2010 had only used the passport under the name Dotcom.
He was also not a flight risk because his wife and children lived in Auckland, Mr Davison said.
More than $17 million worth of assets have been seized from Dotcom's home by police, including two pistols.
3 News/NZN