Dotcom bail denied

A New Zealand court denies bail for notorious internet mogul Kim Dotcom.

The court decided he was a flight risk, despite an emotional plea by the German national.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) KIM DOTCOM

"I have absolutely no desire to breach any condition that is given to me and I will not run away. I want to fight these allegations on a level playing field and have a fair chance to defend myself. Also, I have three little children, my wife is pregnant with twins and she is due in the next two months. I just want to be with them."

Dotcom is accused of internet piracy using his online-sharing site Megaupload.com.

But Doctcom says his site simply offers online storage and plans to fight the charges and the shutdown of his site, which he calls "the biggest disregard of basic rights in internet history."

He will be in court again on February 22 where he may be extradicted to the U.S.

Jessica Gray, Reuters