Roman Polanski to attend extradition hearing in Kraków

Film director Roman Polański will attend an extradition hearing in a court in Kraków with regard to the U.S extradition request over a 1977 statutory rape conviction. The hearing will take place on February 25, according to a spokeswoman of the court. The France-based director, who is preparing to make a film in Poland, has confirmed he would attend the hearing. “In line with the declaration that was made previously, Mr. Roman Polański will appear in court," attorney Jan Olszewski said. The Polish and, since 1976, naturalized French film director pleaded guilty in 1977 to having sex with a minor. He fled the US the following year in order to avoid long-term imprisonment. In 2010, Polański was arrested in Switzerland on a U.S. warrant, however, he was later released as Swiss authorities refused to extradite him. Under Polish law, if the court agrees to extradite Polanski, the final decision will be made by the justice minister.