Roman Polanski Extradition Request Denied by Poland’s Supreme Court
Poland’s supreme court has denied the United States’ request to extradite Roman Polanski, upholding a lower court’s decision and bringing the matter to a close.
“We are very happy that the case is finally over,” one of Polanski’s lawyers, Jan Olszewski, told Reuters.
The U.S. had asked for Polanski’s extradition from Poland following a high-profile 2014 appearance at a screening of Harvey Weinstein’s “Big Eyes.” A Krakow district court rejected that bid last October. The request is now officially out of upward mobility in the Polish legal system.
Also Read: Roman Polanski's Victim Applauds Polish Ruling Denying Extradition
The Oscar winner (“The Pianist”) pled guilty in 1977 to having sex with a 13-year-old girl. He served 42 days in jail after a plea bargain, but later fled the United States to avoid a potentially stiffer penalty, should the agreement have been overturned.
“The supreme court … rejects the request for annulment,” judge Michal Laskowski said on Tuesday. “(It) has been deemed groundless.”
Polanski is now 83-years-old. His victim has publicly come out against extradition, stating that the director has suffered enough simply by living his life in some semblance of hiding.
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