Legal Commentary

Roman Polanski Freed, Extradition Denied

By Jeralyn

Roman Polanski has been freed. The Swiss have denied the extradition request.

The Swiss Justice Ministry said in a statement that the decision reflected doubts over the legal strength of the U.S. extradition request, in particular concerning negotiations between Los Angeles prosecutors and Polanski's U.S. attorneys at the time. Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said at a news conference that Polanski is now free to leave Switzerland and return to his home in France.

The Swiss statement states the decision was based on the request itself and the refusal of the U.S. to provide sealed testimony regarding the alleged misconduct of the prosecution and Judge, and the Swiss national interest. [More....]

Switzerland blamed U.S. authorities for failing to provide confidential testimony about Polanski's sentencing procedure in 1977-1978. The Swiss government said it had sought confidential testimony given Jan. 26 by Roger Gunson, the Los Angeles attorney in charge of the original prosecution against Polanski. The United States rejected the request.

The Swiss Minister went so far as to call the extradition request "sinister."

Absolutely the right decision in my view. The Swiss press release is here.

Our prior coverage of the case is here.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on July 12, 2010 (boomark / email).