Prosecutors in Poland issued a scathing indictment of the Los Angeles County courts system Friday, in ruling that Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski should not be extradited to face 38-year-old child rape charges here.
The prosecutors said Polanski could not get a fair punishment in Los Angeles for his confessed rape of a then-13 year old girl in 1977. Polanski pleaded guilty and skipped the country before being sentenced.
In a statement issued today, prosecutors in Krakow, Poland said they would not appeal a lower court’s denial of a Los Angeles County extradition request.
Polanski, now 82, is preparing to shoot a movie in his native Poland.
In a statement released today, the Krakow prosecutors said Polanski would be denied rights that are guaranteed by the European Constitution.
They cited “excessive vulnerability of judges and prosecutors to criticism by the American news media” which would prevent a fair sentence from being imposed for the rape of the girl.
The prosecutors also blasted Los Angeles judges for having consulted with prosecutors without Polanski or his attorney present, a violation of European legal codes.
The prosecutors also blasted the American system of sentencing fugitive convicts in absentia.
There was no immediate response to a telephone call to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office seeking comment. The office was closed today because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
