Kim Dotcom's bid to stop his extradition hearing has been rejected and his lawyers will open his defence on Monday.
Kim Dotcom arrives at court for his extradition hearing Photo: RNZ/Kim Baker Wilson
The internet mogul's legal team had accused the New Zealand government of aiding his arrest and was pushing for extradition in order to curry favour with Hollywood.
Dotcom's legal team argued the government acted unlawfully.
As an example, lawyer Ron Mansfield said the Crown had unlawfully sent clones of Dotcom's computers overseas.
But Crown lawyers acting on behalf of the United States government said the objections did not meet the threshold to halt the hearing.
In a ruling released late this afternoon, Judge Nevin Dawson said he would not hear full arguments of the application to have the extradition hearing halted now and his full reasons will be released at the end of the hearing.
The defence will open their case on Monday.
Dotcom was defiant in a Twitter post this afternoon, saying he would not "be silenced by bullies".
District Court ruled we must start my extradition defense on Monday. No hearing about Govt abuse. No ruling on stay. pic.twitter.com/8eBK8MBSD3
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) October 29, 2015
