Kim Dotcom's mansion seized

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Dotcom mansion seized

3News NZ

Kim Dotcom (file)

Kim Dotcom (file)

By 3 News online staff

The Coatesville mansion of internet piracy-accused Kim Dotcom has this morning been seized by police.

Staff confirmed that the $4.3 million lifestyle block, along with jet skis, another car and jewellery had been seized following a new restraining order granted over the property on February 1.

An initial inspection and evaluation for insurance purposes has been carried out at the property – which borders the larger “Dotcom mansion” - and staff are on site to make sure everything is okay and find out who is living there, Official Assignee spokesman Guy Sayers said.

The Megaupload founder was refused permission to buy the $30 million property by the Overseas Investment Office as he did not meet the “good character” test, however he was able to buy the neighbouring lifestyle block in December, as the property is less than five hectares of non-urban land and therefore did not need approval.

It is understood Dotcom’s pregnant wife Mona and three children had been living in the smaller property since the police raids on January 20.

Mr Sayers confirmed Mona would not be asked to leave the property.

A number of armed officers, including members of the elite Special Tactics Group, stormed the property to arrest Dotcom on charges relating to copyright offences.

He was denied bail in the High Court in Auckland last week, with the judge ruling there was a real and significant possibility the German multimillionaire would flee.

Dotcom is wanted by American authorities who accuse him and his Megaupload website of copyright breaches, racketeering and money laundering.

3 News

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Comments

10/02/2012 6:08:32 p.m.

heli Ag wrote:

This is the modern way our authorities educate us (Fear tactics) Like early dictatorships, our authorities should be held accountable.

10/02/2012 3:12:57 p.m.

heli Ag wrote:

Kim Dotcom does not belong here in NZ; he is a happy prosperous man. Our institutions must remain consistent, they must continue to take property and suspend privileges of well to do or happy persons. Our institutions must use the infinity of time necessary to grind the happy people down, fabricate justification and legally defame them. The heads of our very important institutions must not be liable for the draconian powers they allow at will. I don't care for the New Zealanders who accept this corrupt process. I feel sad for the ones who are ignorant off it. I hope Kim Dotcom and his family survive our modern dictatorship. Don’t blame our police, don’t blame the Courts. Have a good look at our government’s safety / Security compliance units "mainly contractors" and the allowance of abuse of power within them.

9/02/2012 7:16:16 p.m.

Chris wrote:

Since when are our courts and police supposed to be enforcers for the American movie industry? Dotcom has done nothing wrong in New Zealand. This whole heavy-handed saga is a disgusting spectacle of official intimidation. I just hope Dotcom wins his case and sues the FBI and their eager pawns, the New Zealand police, for millions.

9/02/2012 6:00:23 p.m.

Brett wrote:

This makes me sick, I watched that idiot of a deputy police commisioner bleet on why the use a force. I really think NZ is going down the drain with the morons police and goverment leading us down a slippery slope, stuff the yanks and we arm the police bullshit.

9/02/2012 2:44:11 p.m.

brian wrote:

We are more like the USA everyday and here in - normally - peaceful NZ is bloody ridiculous. Draconian laws being imposed upon us by our mindless copycat bureaucrats who "see with empty eyes" the oppressive "laws" other police states have managed to impose upon their own citizens and don't see the repercussions when "our" village idiots now so armed do the overkill. Kim is a "manipulator" not a terrorist, why the overkill?

9/02/2012 1:34:26 p.m.

T wrote:

Oh my god, the amount of money we're wasting on some guy who has done nothing to us, but to American media companies! This guy, who has invested millions in our country. What a total complete waste, pathetic.

9/02/2012 11:54:27 a.m.

Ruz wrote:

It’s interesting that Immigration NZ let Dotcom into NZ provided he invest $10m into Government bonds and yet the OIO would not let him invest $30m into a property because he failed the “good character” test. Spot the contradiction.

9/02/2012 11:49:04 a.m.

Al wrote:

There's some crookery going on here somewhere.