Dotcom extradition order signed

The Herald reports:

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has signed Kim Dotcom’s extradition order, meaning New Zealand will almost certainly deport him to the United States.

German-born Dotcom moved to New Zealand in 2010. He has been facing potential extradition since 2012 when he was arrested as part of a global sting. The US Justice Department pressed charges against Dotcom, including criminal copyright infringement, money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud.

I’ve lost track of how many court cases there has been, but am not surprised with the decision. It doesn’t mean Dotcom is guilty, it means he will face trial. He does have a defence which is plausible, but it will come down to the facts and intent.

It was in November 2020 that the Supreme Court ruled he could be extradited. I’m surprised it took so long for a Minister to sign an extradition order. Maybe previous Ministers didn’t want to do it.