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The Roman Report: Polanski Undergoing Medical Treatment

By IDA Editorial Staff


Days after French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticized the arrest of Roman Polanski as "not a good administration of justice," Polanski's lawyer announced the filmmaker has been moved from prison for medical treatment, Reuters reports.

Polanski, 76, and who holds French and Polish citizenship, was arrested in relation to a 30-year-old U.S. case involving sex with an underage girl, when he arrived in Switzerland in September to collect a lifetime achievement award at a Swiss film festival.

"All I know is that he has been taken from prison for medical attention. I don't know where he is or when he will be returned to prison," French lawyer Herve Temime told Reuters.

The Oscar Award-winning director pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977 and spent 42 days in prison. But, Polanski fled the United States before the case was concluded because he believed a judge would pass a tough sentence.

U.S. authorities have up to 60 days to make a firm extradition request. U.S. judicial sources have said the complex extradition process could take years if Polanski challenges it.

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Photo: Los Angeles Times/UCLA Library Department of Special Collections