As the latest court decision on Kim Dotcom is released, Radio New Zealand looks at how the controversy has grown and worked its way through New Zealand courts.
Kim Dotcom. Photo: AFP
- 21 March 2014
- 19 February 2014
- 16 January 2014
- Early January 2014
- 28 November 2013
- 27 November 2013
- 26 November 2013
- 29 August 2013
- 31 May 2013
- 30 April 2013
- 15 - 18 April 2013
- 7 March 2013
- 14 Feb 2013
- 20 January 2013
- 24 September 2012
- 29 August 2012
- 16 August 2012
- 15 August 2012
- 7 - 9 August 2012
- 28 June 2012
- 6 June 2012
- 22 - 23 May 2012
- 21 March 2012
- 2 March 2012
- 29 Feb 2012
- 22 Feb 2012
- 16 Feb 2012
- 9 Feb 2012
- 3 Feb 2012
- Late January 2012
- 25 January 2012
- 23 January 2012
- 20 January 2012
- 18 January 2012
- 16 December 2011
- 14 December 2011
- September 2011
Supreme Court refuses to allow Kim Dotcom access to more FBI documents about his case, saying the Extradition Act does not require copies of all documents related to the case. His legal team only has a 109-page summary of the evidence against him.
Court of Appeal rules that search warrants used to raid Kim Dotcom's house were lawful. However the judges said a decision to send copies of material seized to the United States authorities was a breach of agreements.
Kim Dotcom cancels an event to be held on the second anniversary of the raids to launch his new Internet Party, after being warned it could fall foul of electoral law.
Prison operator Serco apologises to Kim Dotcom for the treatment he received when he first arrived at Mt Eden prison after the raids.
Hearing at the Court of Appeal, at which the Crown challenges a High Court ruling that the warrants used in the raids were unlawful.
At a preliminary hearing for the compensation claim, Kim Dotcom's legal team tells the High Court it has never been given a copy of the police investigation summary, and questions what other evidence the Crown has not disclosed. The lawyers threaten to summon government spies to give evidence in a closed court session.
The Green Party releases a police summary of its investigation into whether Kim Dotcom was spied on illegally, which reveals that three GCSB agents refused to be interviewed during the investigation.
Police say no criminal charges will be laid against anyone who spied on Kim Dotcom.
Justice Winkelmann releases her decision in regards to a 15-18 April hearing, which ruled that police must sort through seized property and return any items that were not relevant to the case.
Kim Dotcom and others lodge a claim for around $5 million in compensation against the police and the GCSB at the High Court in Auckland.
Kim Dotcom's mansion in Coatesville in January 2013. Photo: AFP
A High Court hearing scales back claims and considers only those relating property confiscated during the illegal raid. Other claims relating to police and the GCSB are dropped from the hearing. Justice Winkelmann reserves judgement.
Court of Appeal judgement. Upholds high court decision that Kim Dotcom can sue the GCSB for damages.
Court of Appeal hearing.
Kim Dotcom launches a new business, Mega.co.nz, to much fanfare with a party at his mansion, a reconstruction of the raid, dancers, DJs, and Tiki Taane. It cooincides with the anniversary of the raid.
Illegal spying by the GCSB revealed. The Prime Minister orders a top level inquiry.
A judgement released by Justice Potter at Auckland High Court grants Kim Dotcom access to $6 million worth of his funds: $2.6 million to pay for fees, a further $1 million to cover future fees, $1 million for rent in arrears and the remainder for rent and bills. Mr Dotcom's rent is $1 million a year, plus $400,000 in maintenance annually. He is also allowed to sell 9 of his 15 luxury cars.
Acting Prime Minister Bill English signs ministerial certificate directing no disclosure of GCSB information.
Kim Dotcom's lawyer, Paul Davison, sends a letter to the Crown requesting diclosure of all information provided by the GCSB to the NZ police relating to any information or data intercepted or obtained by the GCSB relating to Mr Dotcom.
Auckland High Court hearing at which Kim Dotcom, police, Special Tactics Group (STG) officers and police Detective Inspector Grant Wormald give evidence on every detail in the lead up to raid, including the day itself.
Mr Dotcom says he was kicked and punched by officers. Officers deny this, but admit they did have to stand on his hands, and his fingers bled.
Mr Dotcom's lawyers question STG officers about the need for helicopters, armed police and accuse the police of being heavy-handed. Police footage of the raid is shown.
Police claim Kim Dotcom is a real threat with a history of violence, and they say there is a record of firearms being stored at his mansion.
While Mr Wormald is on the stand, he is questioned about who was present in the room at a 14 December 2011 planning meeting. He will not reveal who one of the parties was, but it is later revealed that it was the GCSB.
Justice Winkelmann ruling which finds that the warrants used to seize material were too broad, did not describe the offences properly, and were therefore unlawful. It also finds that it was unlawful for the FBI and Crown to send cloned material to the US.
Judicial review at Auckland High Court into the raid. Kim Dotcom's lawyers argue search and seizure was illegal, and that the Crown and the FBI unlawfully couriered seven copies of material to the United States, in breach of the Solicitor General's ruling which stated all evidence must stay in the custody of the police. The Crown argues it was not in breach, as only copies were couriered, not originals. Justice Winkelmann reserves judgement.
Auckland High Court hearing. Kim Dotcom's lawyers seek a judicial review of the raid on their clients home, arguing it was illegal - the warrant used was too broad and deficient. During this hearing, it is revealed that the FBI has already taken copied material back to the United States, without permission. Lawyer Paul Davison says material was supposed to stay in NZ under order of the Solicitor General. Justice Winkelmann reserves her decision.
Kim Dotcom is granted up to $60,000 a month to be released from frozen assets: $300,000 from his RaboBank account, in installments of $40,000 a month (to pay for staff), plus $20,000 a month (for living costs) to be derived from interest on New Zealand Government bonds.
American authorites formally lodge papers at the North Shore District Court requesting the extradition of Kim Dotcom and three other men.
At the High Court in Auckland, Kim Dotcom seeks to have funds released to cover his living costs.
Judge Dawson overturns two earlier decisions, and grants Kim Dotcom bail.
Second bail hearing at North Shore District Court before Judge Nevin Dawson.
Bram van der Kolk and Mathias Ortmann are granted bail.
Kim Dotcom appeals bail ruling at Auckland High Court, but Justice Asher also denies bail.
Finn Batato granted bail.
Judge McNaughton denies Kim Dotcom bail, saying there's a "real and significant risk" he will flee the country.
The four men appear in North Shore District Court before Judge McNaughton to seek bail.
At 7:50am, as part of global raids, police and Special Tactics Group (STG) raid Kim Dotcom's mansion. Those arrested in New Zealand are: Kim Dotcom and his MegaUpload colleagues Mathias Ortmann, Bram van der Kolk, and Finn Batato. The charges on the US indictment are:
* Conspiracy to commit racketeering
* Conspiracy to commit copyright infringement
* Conspiracy to commit money laundering
* Criminal copyright infringement by distributing a copyrighted work being prepared for commercial distribution on a computer network and aiding and abetting of criminal copyright infringement
* Criminal copyright infringement by electronic means and aiding and abetting of criminal copyright infringement
* Fraud by wire and aiding and abetting of fraud by wire
Provisional arrest warrant issued by Judge David McNaughton at North Shore District Court.
GSCB begins spying on Kim Dotcom at the request of the police. They are asked to provide intelligence about where Dotcom's birthday party was going to take place, which targets would be attending the party, and anything that may assist in mitigating risks - such as security measures at the mansion or access to/possession of firearms.
Planning meeting held, attended by representatives from police, Crown Law, the Ministry of Justice, the police's legal section and the GCSB.
New Zealand police begin investigation into Kim Dotcom after receiving a request for assistance from the FBI. Told that Dotcom could be holding a birthday on 21 January and this might be an opportune time to raid his house.