Polish court: Roman Polanski cannot be extradited

A court in Poland ruled that the law forbids the extradition of filmmaker Roman Polanski to the US, where he pleaded guilty nearly four decades ago to having sex with a minor.

The decision by a judge in Krakow could close the case in Polanski’s favour, providing the US does not appeal it.

But an appeal – if successful – could make an extradition likely, because the new Law and Justice party government to be installed in November has indicated there would be no leniency for Polanski, as it makes a point of applying laws strictly and equally to all.