Bern – Being popular and talented are not guarantee someone will be happy until old age. Just like actor-director-screenwriter Roman Polanski that at the end of his career he must dealing with legal cases.Thirty years ago, Roman Polanski left United States
since engaged in sex case involving a 13-year-old girl. All this time Roman Polanski lives in Europe, suddenly the U.S. government asked extradition for the creative hand behind the movie 'Che' and 'Cul-de-Sac' to American soil.
"U.S. Embassy in Bern had sent a letter of formal extradition request to the government of Switzerland. We will forward the request to the Jail in Zurich canton and there will be an extradition hearing, " press release from the Department of Law Switzerland, as reported by the New York Times.
Roman Polanski the director, who had rewarded Oscar, was arrested in Switzerland last month since the U.S. government issued an arrest warrant from sex cases occurred in 1977's. Never had a trial was held for the case because Roman Polanski fled to the country that has no extradition agreement with United States.
If Swiss government grants the request, Roman Polanski has to deal with several trial. Earlier this week, Swiss court refused to release Roman Polanski on bail, because they afraid that Roman Polanski will leave the country again. Where he lives so far, Poland has no extradition treaty with the United States.
In fact, when the case was discussed in August 1977, Roman Polanski had pleaded guilty for having sex with 13 year old girl. At that time, he was 43 years old and now he was 76 years old. Los Angeles prosecutor said he would cancel the charges if Roman Polanski was pleading guilty.
But before the punishment was decided, Roman Polanski decides to runaway from United States. He knew the judge would not reduce his sentence even he admit guilty. Roman Polanski goes to Europe, especially to his land of birth, Poland. Finally, he was captured in Switzerland with an arrest warrant that was created 31 years ago.
The authorities deliberately made the arrest warrant because they believe that one day Roman Polanski will come to Switzerland to attend a film festival that was held this year to receive the award. Roman Polanski had agreed to pay U.S. $ 500 thousand to the victim as compensation. The amount is based on victim claims that made 12 years after the event.
The money was still not paid, plus U.S. $ 100 more for the interest, three years after completion in 1993. The money is a demand for compensation claims from the victim that admit being given a mixture of alcohol and drugs when the photo session at Jack Nicholson house, in Hollywood Hills.
It was not clear whether Roman Polanski has pay in installments or not, although he was not short of money. Meanwhile, the victim, Samantha Geimer, who is now 45-year-old and has three children, upset with this case process. Last January, she has given up fighting and said it's up to the U.S. government.
Moreover, not much in favor if this talented director spent the end of his life in jail. Protests also came from politicians like French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to his fellow movie makers in the world like Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and Pedro Almodovar. Some among Hollywood asked Roman Polanski immediately released from the case.
However, there is also a state of justice must be upheld. Like a movie star Kristie Alley and Paul Petersen who refused to defend Roman Polanski.
Now, Roman Polanski was sitting behind the prison in Zurich, hoping anxiously.
Pic : canalplay
