Kim Dotcom to be extradited to the U.S

New Zealand's Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has signed an extradition order for internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom, who faces serious criminal charges in the United States related to the now-defunct file-sharing website Megaupload. Dotcom, a German national with New Zealand residency, has been contesting extradition since 2012, following a high-profile FBI raid on his Auckland mansion. The U.S. authorities allege that Dotcom and his co-accused profited from illegal downloads, costing film studios and record companies over $500 million. In a statement, Goldsmith expressed that he carefully considered the information before deciding to surrender Dotcom to the U.S. for trial. He has allowed Dotcom a brief period to seek legal advice regarding the extradition. Dotcom responded to the decision on social media, expressing his discontent and asserting that he has no responsibility for the actions of users on his platform. He has maintained his innocence, claiming he has never lived in the U.S. and that the charges are unjust. The extradition order marks a significant development in a legal saga that has spanned over a decade. Dotcom's co-executives, who were arrested alongside him in 2012, have taken plea deals that resulted in jail sentences in New Zealand, while Dotcom's legal battles continue. If convicted in the U.S., Dotcom could face decades in prison for conspiracy, racketeering, and money laundering.