Polanski Faces Two Years
Film director Roman Polanski could face two years in prison if extradited to the United States after fleeing sentencing in California on child sex charges in 1978, reported Reuters.
“The United States want him to be extradited for sexual intercourse with a minor. This carries a maximum sentence of two years under U.S. law,” Swiss justice ministry spokesman Folco Galli said on Friday.
“If he agrees voluntarily to the extradition, the process can be concluded rapidly,” Galli said. “If he fights it all the way, it will take months and months.”
The 76-year-old Oscar-winning director, who holds dual French and Polish citizenship, was arrested to comply with a U.S. warrant when he flew into Switzerland on September 26 to receive a lifetime achievement award at a film festival.
“Mr. Polanski will continue to fight this extradition request and demand that he be freed,” Polanski’s lawyer Herve Temime told Reuters.
Reuters recounted that Polanski was originally indicted on six charges, including rape, for having sex after plying the girl with champagne and drugs. He pleaded guilty to a single count of having sex with a minor and spent 42 days in prison undergoing psychiatric tests.
Polanski fled the United States before the case was concluded because he believed a judge would sentence him to up to 50 years behind bars despite a plea agreement for time already served.
