Roman Polanski Appears For Extradition Hearing In Poland Over 1977 Sexual Assault Case

Roman Polanski testified at a hearing in Poland on Wednesday about a U.S. request for the Oscar-winning director’s extradition over a child-sex case dating back to 1977. The court reportedly said that it needed more time to make a decision in the case.

Judge Dariusz Mazur scheduled another hearing, which could be sometime in April or sooner, Grazyna Rokita, a court spokeswoman said, according to The Associated Press. The judge will study documents that arrived this week from Switzerland, which, in 2010, had refused to extradite Polanski, AP reported.

However, even if the Krakow court allows the extradition, Poland's justice ministry will still have the final say in the case.

"The proceeding will not be finished today," Mazur said, according to Reuters.

The 81-year-old’s lawyers reportedly petitioned the court to consider evidence from a 2009 case in which Polanski was arrested in Switzerland and an attempt was made by the U.S. to extradite him. However, the Swiss court rejected the request and Polanski was freed after nine months under house arrest.

“The Pianist” director remains a fugitive outside the U.S. after he pleaded guilty in 1977 to charges of unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer, who was 13 at the time of the incident.

Polanski was reportedly sentenced to a 90-day psychiatric evaluation in state prison and was released after 42 days. However, Polanski fled the U.S. in 1978, a day before he could be formally sentenced for having sex with a minor.