By Angela Beswick
Defence lawyers for internet piracy accused Kim Dotcom are planning to appeal a judge’s decision to decline bail.
The 38-year-old Megavideo founder was this morning further remanded in custody, until February 22 where he will face an extradition hearing.
His bid for bail was declined by Judge David McNaughton in the North Shore District Court.
It is not yet known why bail was declined, however prosecutor Anne Toohey had argued 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.
Paul Davidson QC denies his client is a flight risk because his assets have been frozen and his business cannot operate.
Dotcom also has a heavily pregnant wife and children in Auckland.
Mr Davidson says Dotcom is disappointed with the ruling and has health concerns they will raise with the High Court.
Dotcom has been in custody since Friday morning, when he and three associates were arrested during an extensive police raid at the 38-year-old’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.
The US government is seeking to extradite the men to face charges in Virginia.
The accused do not face charges in New Zealand but local police have been aiding the FBI with investigations since August last year.
More than $17 million worth of assets have been seized from Dotcom's home by police, including two pistols.
3 News