A third man involved in the alleged Megaupload internet piracy case continues his bid for bail today, when a court hears a second day of submissions.
The website's co-founder and chief technical officer, German man Mathias Ortmann, 40, was arrested alongside three others involved in the website during a joint operation by the FBI and New Zealand police today.
Ortmann's lawyer made a bid for bail in the North Shore District Court yesterday, alongside co-accused Finn Batato, 38, from Germany, and Dutch national Bram van der Kolk, 29, who holds New Zealand residency.
Batato and van der Kolk were both granted bail on yesterday, but could remain in custody for a week while the Crown checks out their proposed bail addresses.
Ortmann's bail hearing continued throughout yesterday afternoon before being adjourned until total, with Judge David McNaughton seeking further submissions from his lawyer.
Megaupload's founder, 38-year-old German Kim Dotcom, was denied bail on Wednesday, with Judge McNaughton ruling that he was a flight risk.
He has appealed that ruling and it is likely to be heard in the High Court next week.
The four face charges of engaging in a racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to commit copyright infringement, conspiring to commit money laundering and criminal copyright infringement, according to an indictment filed in a United States court.
It is alleged the group amassed $NZ216 million in criminal proceeds through the website.
The FBI is seeking to extradite the quartet to the US, with extradition papers expected to be filed on February 22.
Meanwhile, Dotcom's bodyguard Wayne Tempero says he will fight a firearms charge laid against him.
Tempero, who was bailed on Thursday, was charged over the possession of firearms allegedly bought outside New Zealand and modified.
He said outside court the firearms were legal and bought in Auckland.
NZN