Video Of Dotcom Raid Revealed, As NZ Police Admit It Was 'Over The Top'

from the ya-think? dept

Yesterday we noted that government officials were seeking to suppress video and images from the raid on Kim Dotcom's home. As a bunch of folks have been sending in all day, New Zealand's 3NEWS has revealed some of the footage in a video interspersed with video from the courtroom hearings and a tour they did a few months ago of the room in which Dotcom hid. It's interesting to note that, contrary to some reports of law enforcement having to "break in" to a "safe room," the reality turned out to just be a hidden room which Dotcom left unlocked. But, much more telling is the ridiculous level of force that the government used to arrest someone for copyright infringement -- which even New Zealand law enforcement admitted was "over the top." Other reports have noted that Dotcom's security staff includes a police officer who could have been approached. Police also admitted that the effort was rushed and done with much less planning than they would have liked (which supports the notion floated by some that the timing was designed to happen right after the massive SOPA protests). Oh yeah, you'll notice in the video that two helicopters (and many police vehicles) were used -- but in court it was revealed that NZ law enforcement had said that "a full tactical response was not appropriate."

Perhaps they just wanted to look good on camera for the MPAA folks who were so infatuated with going after Kim Dotcom. Certainly, Americans were on the scene. NZ law enforcement admitted that the FBI came along for the ride...

Filed Under: copyright, kim dotcom, law enforcement, new zealand, over the top, raid
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