Polanski lawyer accuses US courts of wanting him to be “in shackles”

MUMBAI: A lawyer appearing for Roman Polanski has accused US courts of wanting to see the filmmaker “in shackles” after they rejected his bid to be sentenced in absentia for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.

“One gets the feeling that there‘s the desire to see him arrive in shackles, when there‘s no reason why Roman Polanski should be extradited, none at all,” lawyer Herve Temime said.

The Court also rejected a petition filed by Polanski‘s victim, Samantha Geimer, to have the case dismissed altogether.

Polanski, who directed films like Chinatown and Rosemary‘s Baby was charged with raping Geimer in Hollywood after plying her with champagne and drugs in 1977. He later pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor.

Polanski skipped bail and fled the US for France in 1978 and is now fighting extradition from Switzerland. Affirming the decision of a Los Angeles judge in January, a state appeals court ruled Thursday that the 76-year-old filmmaker must return to California before he can be sentenced.