By Briar Marbeck and Simon Wong
Kim Dotcom says the SIS' decision to drop its objection to his residency bid as a result of "political pressure" is an abuse of power and an effort to help extradite him to the US.
Newly released documents reveal the SIS dropped its objection to Kim Dotcom's residency application after being told there was "political pressure" to let him into New Zealand.
Papers released under the Official Information Act show the SIS dropped its objection just 87 minutes after trying to block Dotcom, labelling him a "bad but wealthy man".
Dotcom believes political interference in his case is now "black and white" and has called for an inquiry into the decision to let him into the country.
Opposition parties have also asked for a 'please explain' from the Government and then-Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.
But Dr Coleman has deflected responsibility, in a short statement saying "the residency decision was made by Immigration New Zealand, not by me as Minister of Immigration".
Dotcom was under criminal investigation by the FBI, who expressed "keen interest" in the possibility of a joint operation with the New Zealand police targeting the internet tycoon.
The documents state concern over Dotcom's previous convictions, including 11 cases of computer fraud, 10 of "data espionage", 11 of stealing business secrets and receiving stolen goods.
The documents also reveal the SIS passed information to Dr Coleman, who was described as an "interested party" wanting to get "high rollers with more than $10 million to spend" into New Zealand.
The "political pressure" claims were made in October 2010 after the SIS blocked Dotcom's residency bid when it learned of the FBI's investigation.
But one hour and 27 minutes later that block was lifted, because Dotcom was "not of security concern".
Today, Dotcom questioned Dr Coleman's involvement in the case.
"Do you really favour the $10 million investment into the country at the cost of the image problem that it brings and the effort that needs to be made? I think at the time the decision was made it was not at all about the investment, it was purely and entirely about the extradition," he says.
Dotcom is facing copyright infringement, money laundering and racketeering charges brought by the US government in relation to his now defunct website MegaUpload. His extradition hearing has been delayed a number of times, with the latest date set for February next year.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says the reference to "political pressure" was an "interpretation of a conversation of a conversation that took place between NZSIS and INZ staff almost four years ago".
"It's important to stress that after the amount of time that has elapsed it is impossible to know whether this is an accurate reflection of comments that were made," the department said in a statement.
INZ says the decision to grant Dotcom residency was made solely by the department and Dr Coleman was told of the outcome as part of the 'no surprises' policy.
At the time, the Government had been interested in how its business migration scheme, launched in 2009, had been faring and was given regular updates by INZ about money invested in the country.
"It appears that the Government interest in the success of the policy may have been misconstrued as political pressure," INZ says.
"INZ can state unequivocally that there was no political pressure regarding Mr Dotcom's residence application."
Harré: I wouldn't give Dotcom residency
Internet Party leader Laila Harré says if INZ had followed normal procedures, Dotcom's residency application would not have landed on the minister's desk – it would have been halted due to the FBI investigation.
"These emails add to the already existing speculation that our immigration laws and procedures came second to the demands of another country's government in this case."
Ms Harré says if she had been Immigration Minister, she would not have granted Dotcom residency, but says she has no problem leading a party funded by him.
"It's absolutely consistent, because […] one of our key objectives is to ensure the proper conduct of New Zealand Government and its independence from overseas interference."
Ms Harré wants an inquiry into the matter to determine whether New Zealand's laws and administrative processes have been "compromised".
However, she would not have confidence in a ministerial or administrative inquiry overseen by the current Government.
Meanwhile, Labour's associate security and intelligence spokesman Grant Robertson says the documents need a 'please explain' from the Prime Minister.
"John Key has two important questions to answer: who was exerting political pressure on officials and why were they doing it?
"The Dotcom affair has always had the fingerprints of National ministers on it. John Key must finally front up to New Zealanders and explain what he and his ministers knew and what pressure they were applying."
He believes the documents raise serious concerns about whether the decision to grant residency was made independently in the interests of New Zealand or because of the FBI.
3 News
source: newshub archive
