Switzerland says US formally asks for Roman Polanski’s extradition in decades-old sex case

US files Polanski extradition request in sex case

BERN, Switzerland — The Swiss government says the U.S. has formally requested the extradition of imprisoned director Roman Polanski for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.

The Justice Ministry says the U.S. filed its request late Thursday and that it has been forwarded to Zurich authorities for an extradition hearing.

It said in a statement Friday that Polanski may appeal the decision if it approves the American request.

The 76-year-old filmmaker was arrested Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to attend a film festival.