Roman Polanski should be extradited to the US says new Polish government
Source: theguardian.com
Roman Polanski should be deported from Poland to the US to face sentence over a conviction for having sex with a minor in 1977, according to the leader of Poland’s newly elected Law and Justice party.
If court approves extradition request, justice minister will decide whether to hand over film-maker to US authorities
Jarosław Kaczyński made the case an instrumental part of his campaign during the final stretch before he came to power last weekend. “There was open talk that he should not be made responsible for his deeds because he is an outstanding, world-famous film-maker,” Kaczyński said. “We will totally reject this attitude.”
The 82-year-old director is due in court on 30 October, which might lead to extradition, if the new ruling party’s comments are to be believed. His lawyers claim that justice has been served and have lobbied officials to combat the US bid to bring Polanski back to the States to face charges.
Polanski was convicted in the US for having sex with a 13-year-old girl but fled to France, where he holds citizenship, to avoid sentencing. French law forbids extradition of its citizens.
He was in Poland to shoot a new drama about the Dreyfus affair, based on a novel by Robert Harris, and previously appeared in Polish court last February. Since fleeing the US in 1978, Polanski has won an Oscar for The Pianist. His most recent film is Venus in Fur.
Source: theguardian.com
