'Major setback for FBI in Dotcom case'

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'Major setback for FBI in Dotcom case'

3News NZ

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom

Late this afternoon, the Chief High Court Judge ruled the search and seizure raid conducted by dozens of armed police officers at Kim Dotcom's mansion in January was illegal.

It's a damning judgment – "illegal", "unlawful", "invalid" are some words used. Justice Winkelmann doesn't hold back.

It's also a long judgment, at 56 pages.

It was only released at 4:30pm this afternoon.

John Campbell has being going through it, looking at what it says about the events that began with that raid at the end of January.

Watch the video for his full report.

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Comments

18/07/2012 2:54:56 p.m.

Jon Eliott wrote:

John key is an idiot for letting this happen. We also need to ask the right questions about what Dotcom does for an honest living and as a responsible NZ citizen.

29/06/2012 6:15:45 p.m.

Peter wrote:

Two sets of laws? Better get used to it NZ. Our sovereignty is an illusion. This government set a precedent when it acted with total disregard for the rule of law. Further, it's cohorts know they are protected by the firewall that is our state apparatus. They will not be held accountable, they are untouchable. It's plain to see, governments, like dictators, don't give orders, they take them. Your Government isn't as much yours as you thought NZ. Wake up.

29/06/2012 4:48:09 p.m.

Lol wrote:

Does anyone see the diversion I agree this is good news indeed but still they took all of his stuff and haven't dropped the case! Kim even said he received no cease and desist over the years and was always following the lawyers instructions to keep himself in the good books. All I see is America needed to make an example problem was Kim was no pirate but the FBI taking the Hard Drives sound kinda like theft/espianage but Im sure they will prob get a maximum sentance of 5 to 10 (lectures rofl)

29/06/2012 12:21:14 p.m.

Richard wrote:

Last I checked we were not a stste of America. This whole episode has been a disgusting blight on NZ. Congratulations Keys and the Police. we are a laughing stock. So much for rights. we are worse than a banana republic.

29/06/2012 9:49:23 a.m.

Ana wrote:

How embarrassing!!! NZ Police should be ashamed of themselves. And as for the Crown Lawyers - shame on you! The Crown knew it was using the wrong order while the raid was in progress but chose to keep quiet. Leave US to sort out their own drama - they haven't got REAL proof that Kim Dotcom is behind this so NZ Police just bend over and say, we'll take and copy everything in his hard drives for you - that is WRONG! Violating someones privacy without proper warrant is embarrassing - NZ Police has done nothing but added more fuel to the fire and embarrassment for NZ. Officials seized Dotcom's collection of more than 20 luxury cars, wife Mona's jewellery and expensive art works - please explain how are these items RELATED to the case? Good on Judge Helen Winkelmann for speaking out!


29/06/2012 12:39:42 a.m.

Greg wrote:

As servants of the public I expect both the NZ Police and Crown Law to appear in the media (and especially on any program where they said what they did was legal) to explain themselves and humbly apologise. They could also detail how they are going to compensate Mr Dotcom for making an illegal raid on his house. I assume the Police Complaints Authority will be working on what went so very wrong too.

28/06/2012 8:34:31 p.m.

dave wrote:

Good to see the US can't ride roughshod over every other country in the world, and good on the Judge for not rolling over to them the way the UK seem to love doing.

28/06/2012 8:28:16 p.m.

Ruz wrote:

I really would love to see the video footage of the Police/FBI raid once it is returned to it's rightful owner - Kim Dotcom.