• Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom can be extradited to the US says New Zealand’s Minister of Justice.
• The minister says he has signed a warrant allowing for Dotcom’s deportation.
• Despite this, the entrepreneur says he “has a plan” and that he isn’t leaving the island nation.

Founder and former chief executive officer of the controversial Megaupload, Kim Dotcom, has been the target of the US for over a decade as it seeks to charge him on allegations of copyright infringement, money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud.

Over that decade and a bit a number of extradition orders have been granted from his newfound home in New Zealand, each challenged by the entrepreneur. The most recent decision to extradite him came in 2020 and the last four years have seemingly been spent appealing the decision.

New Zealand’s Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has apparently told Dotcom that he will be deported to the US and confirmed with Stuff that a warrant for his deportation had been signed.

“I considered all of the information carefully, and have decided that Mr Dotcom should be surrendered to the US to face trial,” Goldsmith told the publication.

However, Dotcom can, and likely will, appeal this decision and it appears he will do as much per his posts on social media.

“I love New Zealand. I’m not leaving,” Dotcom added.

We have to wonder whether Aotearoa will entertain yet another appeal from Dotcom given the fact that he has fought against extradition for years. The entrepreneur isn’t exactly adding value as far as we can see. Sure, he turned Mega into a legitimate business but it’s not exactly competing with the big players in cloud storage and security. Even his music career isn’t all that successful.

Since the pandemic, Dotcom has also embraced the fringes of the internet, engaging in the spread of medical conspiracies and anti-vax talking points. He, like many others, prays at the altar of the US, despite that same country baying for his blood.

After all these years, we’re still shocked that he hasn’t faced the music for his alleged crimes and frankly, we’re doubtful that he ever will.