NZ spy agency under investigation over Kim Dotcom case

Published time: September 24, 2012 04:20
Edited time: September 24, 2012 08:22
Kim Dotcom. (AFP Photo/ Michael Bradley)

New Zealand’s prime minister has ordered an inquiry into “unlawful interception of communications” by the country’s intelligence agency in the case of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom.

The country’s Prime Minister John Keys expressed his disappointment “that unlawful acts had taken place” and asked the inspector-general of intelligence and security to probe whether the intelligence agency illegally intercepted information while assisting police in investigating the Megaupload case.

"I expect our intelligence agencies to operate always within the law. Their operations depend on public trust," Keys said. "I look forward to the inspector-general's inquiry getting to the heart of what took place and what can be done about it.”

The internet tycoon was arrested, along with three others, in January after police raided his New Zealand mansion at the request of the FBI.

He is currently fighting against extradition to the US where he is wanted for what American prosecutors have dubbed as a “Mega Conspiracy.” They have pressed charges of copyright against his file-sharing website Megaupload for generating US$175 million in profit by sharing pirated film, music and book files. If convicted he could face a jail sentence of up to 20 years.

However, Dotcom’s lawyers have argued that the site was merely offering online storage.

Following the announcement by PM Keys, Kim Dotcom wrote in his Twitter account: “I welcome the inquiry by @JohnKeyPM into unlawful acts by the GCSB. Please extend the inquiry to cover the entire Crown Law Mega case.”

"I'm now a real life James Bond villain in a real life political copyright thriller scripted by Hollywood and the White House," Dotcom tweeted minutes after Key's announcement.

Comments (7)

ChairmanDrew (unregistered) 27.09.2012 14:04

alephfool (unregistered) wrote in #3
It's refreshing to see a government upholding and prosecuting it's own laws, New Zealand you are a stand out.
No-one has been prosecuted, an "inquiry" has been ordered. sadly, freedom's comment above better reflects the situation in NZ.

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freedom (unregistered) 24.09.2012 21:52

To those who are saying NZ is such a stand out against corruption, wake up.  NZ once may have been but the current administration is setting new lows in secrecy, spying on its people, feeding intelligence to the US and generally being two-faced anti-democratic despots.  they have obliterated Democracy in a City broken twice by earthquakes, they are attacking the unemployed whilst not delivering jobs and fast tracking closer military ties with the US which is opposed by the majority of kiwis.  We are happy to help rebuild stuff and always proud when our soldiers do, we are generally not so keen on putting bullets in the heads of strangers.  Our PM has only ever been a money trader who made his fortune betting against the NZ dollar and helping fabricate the hedge fund debacle that impoverished the world.  Now he has his mates lined up to buy our most crucial infrastructure.  I hope one day my country finds the strength to return to its once proud legacy of being a leader in social equality.  For now we are simply breeding bigotry and hate.  Peace.  and stay strong RT.

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Mossad AlphaBet (unregistered) 24.09.2012 19:47

If Chinese factory workers wore diapers or space suits it would save space and time alleviating the time necessary to use a rest room. However, New Zealand should not allow the sabotaging of their chocolate factories with laxatives by private security agencies.A computer in by all means, IS a factory. And It serves better as a public library. factor in hollywood and you have diapers on yer heads and space suits to goto the moon and get a radio telescope to watch what they are watching. and privacy too.....But the thing is, where's the library? And who hired the agency? 20 years. big deal. noone has ben to the moon in 40. Lets just send kim.kong(c) lol~sorrykim~ to the moon for 20 years. no library is severe punishment.
5 Hapuku Road, Kaikoura 7371, New Zealand. 

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