At the end of this week in Krakow held hearing on the case of the extradition of Roman Polanski to the United States, but it seems that the fate of 82-year-old director, who is accused of sexual contact with a minor, has already been determined.
«There is a perception that Polanski should not be held accountable for their actions, because he is an outstanding and world-famous director. We strongly disagree with this statement, “- said the former Prime Minister of Poland Jaroslaw Kaczynski.
The case of Polanski – extradition of a Polish citizen at the request of another country – has become part of the campaign led by the Kaczynski party” Law and Justice “and its policy statement made before the last election over the weekend in the Polish Sejm. But after summing up the results of their party Kaczynski was the overall winner, she received a majority – 235 seats – in parliament and the right to form a government. And the pre-election promises can begin to put into practice.
Criminal case against Polanski almost 40 years.
In 1977, he was accused that he gave the 13-year-old Samantha gamer alcohol and drugs and then had sex with her. The director pleaded guilty to get a suspended sentence, was examined in a psychiatric hospital, but then the judge in charge of the process, refused to previous agreements – and Polanski fled to France. Under US law, then the offense lost the statute of limitations, and will be completed only sentencing.
The US authorities have repeatedly tried to extradite the director from different countries. In 2009, Polanski was arrested in Switzerland, where he arrived at the Locarno International Film Festival, and held under house arrest for six months. Open letters of support signed the most famous filmmakers of the world; True, there were supporters of the American court – for example, Arnold Schwarzenegger. But in the end the Swiss court rejected the US extradition director.
After his escape Polanski kept almost normal life, trying, of course, did not cross the Atlantic Ocean.
He made films (“Death and the Maiden”, “The Ninth Gate” and others), was awarded the “Oscar” for “The Pianist”, participated in international film festivals and received prizes. He has Polish and French citizenship. France of its citizens does not give anybody, and until recently held the same position and Poland. So, exactly one year ago the Polish Prosecutor’s Office found no grounds for transferring Polanski to the US authorities.
Now the situation is completely different. Polish Gazeta.pl notes that under the laws of the country the statute of limitations crimes committed Polanski has already expired. In addition, the decision of the court in Krakow will be advisory in nature. The last word will be for the Minister of Justice, which, recall, is a member of the Cabinet, formed the party of Kaczynski.
Some media (especially in France) believe that the extradition of Polanski’s actually a foregone conclusion.
The director did not comment on the events. The Krakow court considers the case for six months and has not yet made any decision; Polanski’s lawyers tried to get him immunity from prosecution to the filming of a new movie, but were refused. It is a painting dedicated to the famous process of the beginning of XX century – the “Dreyfus Affair”, says THR.
A new court hearing on extradition of film director is scheduled for October 30.
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