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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| US asks for Polanski extradition | US asks for Polanski extradition |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US has formally asked Switzerland to extradite film director Roman Polanski on sex charges, Swiss officials say. | The US has formally asked Switzerland to extradite film director Roman Polanski on sex charges, Swiss officials say. |
| Polanski has been wanted in the US since he fled the country in 1978, after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with an under-age girl. | Polanski has been wanted in the US since he fled the country in 1978, after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with an under-age girl. |
| He was held in Zurich after travelling from France to collect an award at the city's film festival in September. | He was held in Zurich after travelling from France to collect an award at the city's film festival in September. |
| The director recently lost an appeal to be released on bail from a Swiss jail. | The director recently lost an appeal to be released on bail from a Swiss jail. |
| The Swiss justice ministry said in a statement that if it approved the US request, Polanski might appeal against the decision. | The Swiss justice ministry said in a statement that if it approved the US request, Polanski might appeal against the decision. |
| "The US Embassy in Bern submitted the formal extradition request... within the deadline of 40 days stipulated under the bilateral extradition treaty," the statement said. | |
| Earlier this week Swiss authorities defended their action in informing the US that Polanski was travelling to Zurich. | |
| The tip-off led to the 76-year-old's arrest. | |
| Swiss officials said they were obliged to take Polanski into custody after learning that the decades-old warrant was still valid. | |
| Polanski holds dual French and Polish citizenship. |