Kim Dotcom extradition delayed until March
The alleged internet pirate will have to wait until next year to learn whether he will be extradited to the US.
Kim Dotcom's extradition hearing has been delayed more than six months as defence and Crown lawyers continue to battle the case in court.
A three-week hearing due begin on August 6 has been adjourned until the end of March.
Crown law office spokeswoman Jan Fulstow could not tell NBR ONLINE if there would be any extra costs because of the delay.
She says there is "no reason to assume" there would be extra costs.
NBR ONLINE sought comment from opposition parties, including the Greens, Act and NZ First, on the likely increased cost to the taxpayers of the delay but they were not interested.
Internet guru Mr Dotcom's New Zealand-based lawyer Willie Akel told NBR ONLINE the delay is not what the defence wanted.
"It's certainly disappointing, but it was inevitable as a result of the judicial review applications and potential appeals from court decisions."
There have already been two judicial reviews; one into the legality of the search warrants used when police raided Mr Dotcom's Coatesville mansion, and one on Judge David Harvey's decision to allow Mr Dotcom access to the evidence the FBI holds against him.
On Twitter, Mr Dotcom posted, "The NZ government is refusing an NZ resident due process and a fair defense. Shame on you John Key for allowing this to happen. Shame on you" and "Extradition hearing delayed til March. Dirty delay tactics by the US. They destroyed my business. Took all my assets. Time does the rest."
Caleb Allison
Tue, 10 Jul 2012
Tue, 10 Jul 2012
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Kim Dotcom extradition delayed until March
22032