U.S. attempts to extradite Roman Polanski to face sex crime charges

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Los Angeles prosecutors have renewed their efforts to extradite film director Roman Polanski so he can be arrested for sex crimes.

The request was submitted to Poland's prosecutor general as Polanski is visiting Krakow to prepare for his upcoming film An Officer and a Spy.

"Prosecutors will want to summon Polanski for questioning." Polish Justice Ministry spokesman Mateusz Martyniuk confirmed in a statement.

Polanksi pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer after drugging her with champagne and Quaaludes. The director took a plea deal to avoid more severe charges including rape and sodomy. After serving 42 days of his 90-day sentence, Polanski fled the country in fear that the judge was about to adjust his sentence to a much longer term.

Poland said its statute of limitations for such crimes does not apply to crimes committed in the United States, thereby leaving the option for prosecution in the U.S. courts. Previous attempts to extradite Polanski from the country have failed. In October, the U.S. attempted to have him arrested as he visited a museum in Warsaw, but he was eventually released. He was arrested in Zurich in 2009 but Switzerland also decided not to extradite him.

Polanski is a dual citizen of France and Poland. France does not extradite its own citizens. Poland can extradite its citizens but may choose not to do so.

Polanski directed The Pianist, Chinatown and Carnage.