Authorities in Switzerland have decided not to extradite film director Roman Polanski to the US to face sentencing for a case dating back to 1977. Polanski, 76, has been under house arrest in his Swiss chalet since December 2009 pending the decision. He is wanted in the US over a conviction for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl. Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the "restrictions on his liberty have been lifted." A Swiss official said the US cannot appeal the decision.
Authorities in Switzerland have decided not to extradite film director Roman Polanski to the US to face sentencing for a case dating back to 1977.
Polanski, 76, has been under house arrest in his Swiss chalet since December 2009 pending the decision.
He is wanted in the US over a conviction for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the "restrictions on his liberty have been lifted."
A Swiss official said the US cannot appeal the decision.
Independent - Johann Hari - So that's OK then. It's fine to abuse young girls, as long as you're a great film director
So now we know. If you are a 44-year-old man, you can drug and anally rape a terrified 13-year-old girl as she sobs, says "No, no, no," and pleads for her asthma medication - all according to the victim's sworn testimony - and face no punishment at all. You just have to meet two criteria - (a) you have to run away and stay away for a few decades; and (b) you need to direct some good films. If you do, not only will you walk free, there will be a huge campaign to protect you from the "witch-hunt" and you will be lauded as a hero.
Guardian - Agnes Poirier - The prurient hounding of Roman Polanski is over at last
Roman Polanski is a free man, at long last. Justice and reason have finally prevailed after nine months of mass hysteria on both sides of the Atlantic, hysteria and moralistic prejudices.
