This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8425538.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US court rejects Polanski appeal | US court rejects Polanski appeal |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Film director Roman Polanksi's attempt to have his sex case dismissed has been rejected by a California appeals court. | Film director Roman Polanksi's attempt to have his sex case dismissed has been rejected by a California appeals court. |
| Polanski, currently under house arrest at his Swiss chalet, is fighting extradition to the US over a 1977 case of unlawful sex with a minor. | |
| The California 2nd District Court of Appeal announced the decision on its website, saying three justices had agreed to reject the petition. | The California 2nd District Court of Appeal announced the decision on its website, saying three justices had agreed to reject the petition. |
| Lawyers had argued alleged misconduct of the case meant it must be dismissed. | Lawyers had argued alleged misconduct of the case meant it must be dismissed. |
| They allege a Los Angeles judge, now deceased, engaged in "backroom manipulations" while handling the case in 1977. | |
| Judges' concern | |
| Despite rejecting the appeal, the justices did state that they remained "deeply concerned that these allegations of misconduct have not been addressed by a court". | |
| The director has been fitted with an electronic tag at his Gstaad chalet | |
| And they continued: "Polanski's allegations urgently require full exploration and then, if indicated, curative action for the abuses alleged here." | |
| Switzerland is expected to decide whether or not to extradite Polanksi within weeks, but he could appeal. | Switzerland is expected to decide whether or not to extradite Polanksi within weeks, but he could appeal. |
| The film director, who holds both French and Polish citizenship, fled the US in 1978 after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with an underage girl. | The film director, who holds both French and Polish citizenship, fled the US in 1978 after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with an underage girl. |
| He has been fitted with an electronic bracelet by the Swiss authorities to prevent him absconding. | He has been fitted with an electronic bracelet by the Swiss authorities to prevent him absconding. |
| The Swiss Federal Criminal Court granted the Oscar-winning director $4.5m (£2.7m) bail, pending proceedings for his possible extradition to the US. | |
| The director of films such as Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist was arrested after travelling to Zurich on 26 September to pick up a lifetime achievement award. | |
| Polanski was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and a sedative during a modelling shoot in 1977. | |
| He was initially indicted on six counts - including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy - but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. | |
| Polanski fled the US on the day he was to be sentenced, and has lived in France since then. |