Kim Dotcom sees HK$330m assets unfrozen by court - before judge locks them up again

Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom yesterday won the right to get his hands on HK$330 million in assets frozen in 2012 by the Hong Kong courts, but the victory was short-lived as a High Court judge immediately reimposed a restraint order.

This means that the assets, belonging to Dotcom's now-defunct Megaupload website, remain under lock and key but his legal team can now seek exceptions to the order.

The initial order in 2012 was made ex parte, which meant Dotcom, who turns 41 next month, was not given the chance to argue against it.

Negotiations will now take place between Dotcom's legal team and the Department of Justice to determine the conditions of the new order, which could include limited access to money for ongoing legal fees and living expenses.

The assets freeze was sought by Hong Kong justice officials who acted on behalf of the US government under a mutual legal assistance agreement.

Shortly after the ruling, Dotcom posted on his Twitter account: "Glad that Hong Kong isn't part of the US puppet show. This is the turning point!"