A New Zealand court refused an appeal by the founder of online file-sharing site megaupload.comto be freed on bail, agreeing with prosecutors there was a risk he would attempt to flee before an extradition hearing.

Kim Dotcom, a German national also known as Kim Schmitz and Kim Tim Jim Vestor, was returned to custody until February 22nd ahead of a hearing on an extradition application by the United States.

The High Court in Auckland said the lower court judge was right to rule there was a significant risk Mr Dotcom might try to flee the country. – (Reuters)