Polanski Extence procedure in the United States can stretch for a year

The procedure of extradition of director Roman Polanski can last about a year, said the Minister of Justice of Switzerland Evelyn Vidmer-Shlumpf.

According to her, Polanski has the right to appeal the upcoming decision of the Federal Department of Justice of Switzerland in a jury, and then in a federal court.

"In the event that an appeal is submitted, then the extradition procedure will be delayed for some time. It is still difficult to say for sure, but this period can take from several months to a year," said Vidmer-Shlumpf.

Currently, Polanski is in his estate in Gstaad, where he was transported on December 4 after two months of maintaining Zurich prison. The 76-year-old director was arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by the Supreme Court of California.

The American side requires Polanski's extradition in connection with the 33-year-old case-in 1977 he was accused of illegal connection with 13-year-old Samantha Gamer. Without waiting for the completion of the trial, Polanski in 1978 left the USA to Europe, where, having Polish, he received French citizenship.

Despite the fact that Gamer herself had long abandoned her claims to the director and even publicly called for abandoning his persecution, the American court did not leave an attempt to finish the case, and necessarily in the presence of Polanski. It is expected that the Swiss authorities will make the decision on extradition in February, ITAR-TASS reports.