U.S. formally demands Polanski extradition

By Peter Mikelbank and Karen Nickel Anhalt, People.com

Director Roman Polanski is being held in Switzerland on charges stemming from a U.S. case.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

U.S. Embassy officials in Bern, Switzerland, formally submitted an extradition request
Polanski's attorney said the he will not accept the demand for extradition
Under Swiss law, extradition requests can be appealed, causing a 6 month delay
A Swiss court has refused to let Polanski out on bond, terming him a flight risk

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(People.com) -- U.S. Embassy officials in Bern, Switzerland, formally submitted an extradition request for Roman Polanski to the Swiss government on Thursday night, but a lawyer for the film director said his client will continue to resist deportation.

"Mr. Polanski has not changed his course. He will not accept the U.S. demand for extradition," Polanski attorney Herve Temime told the Agence France-Presse.

That comment comes just days after another Polanski lawyer hinted that the Hollywood director, 76, might stop fighting extradition and allow himself to be brought to California to "explain himself."

Polanski is wanted in the U.S.after skipping bail in 1978 for the 1977 rape of a then 13-year-old girl.

Authorities at Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice, who received the extradition request, will forward the request to the Canton of Zurich, where Polanski is being held, so an extradition hearing can be scheduled.

Under Swiss law, any decision involving Polanski's extradition can be appealed, which could delay any final decision for some six months.

On Tuesday, a Swiss court refused a request to release Polanski on bond, terming him a potential flight risk.