Three men accused of involvement in the online file-sharing "Mega Conspiracy" are expected to make a bid for bail today.
Finn Batato, 38, and Mathias Ortmann, 40, both from Germany, and Dutch national Bram van der Kolk, 29, will reappear in North Shore District Court facing charges over file-sharing website Megaupload.
The three, along with the website's founder, multi-millionaire German 38-year-old Kim Dotcom, were arrested after a raid on Dotcom's $30 million mansion in Coatesville, north of Auckland, on Friday, in a joint operation between the FBI and New Zealand police.
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 US court.
It is alleged the group amassed $NZ216 million in criminal proceeds through the website.
A judge on Wednesday rejected Dotcom's bail bid, deeming him a flight risk because of his access to funds and multiple identities.
He was remanded in custody until February 22, when extradition papers are expected to be filed.
A 55-year-old man, also arrested at Dotcom's mansion, will appear in court on Thursday charged with unlawful possession of a pistol.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key on Wednesday announced he had ordered officials to look into an "anomaly" between how government agencies carried out character tests.
Dotcom's 2010 application to buy the mansion where he lives was turned down by the Overseas Investment Office and government ministers because of his criminal convictions for hacking, credit card fraud, insider trading and embezzlement.
However, he was granted New Zealand residency under Immigration New Zealand's "Investor Plus" category, which required he invest $10 million in New Zealand over three years.
Van der Kolk also holds New Zealand residency.
Prime Minister John Key defended both government agencies, saying their decisions were made "on balance".
However, he has asked his officials to look at whether the agencies need to use consistent character tests.
"There's clearly a potential anomaly there between the Overseas Investment Act and between the immigration rules, and I've asked them to go away and see whether they think the anomaly exists, and whether it needs to be closed."
NZN