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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US asks for Polanski extradition | US asks for Polanski extradition |
| (20 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. | "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. | 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. | 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. | Swiss officials said they were obliged to take Polanski into custody after learning that the decades-old warrant was still valid. |
| The director, who holds dual French and Polish citizenship, was originally charged with six offences, but pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with the 13-year-old girl following a plea bargain. | |
| He has not set foot in the US since taking flight, and has settled in France. | |
| In recent years, his lawyers have tried to have the case dismissed. |