Justice
New rape allegations against director Polanski
Director Roman Polanski lives mostly in France and avoids countries that have an extradition treaty with the USA. photo
© Sebastien Nogier/EPA/dpa
Director Roman Polanski has been prosecuted for abuse of a minor for more than 40 years. There are now new rape allegations in the USA.
The celebrated and controversial director Roman Polanski is again confronted with allegations of raping minors. In California, an unnamed woman has filed a civil lawsuit against the global star.
Polanski drugged and raped the then-minor girl in his home in Los Angeles in 1973, said the plaintiff’s lawyer, Gloria Allred, at a press conference. A judge has scheduled August 2025 as the trial date, the lawyer said.
Polanski (90) had his lawyers reject the allegations. “Mr. Polanski firmly rejects the allegations in the lawsuit and he believes that the court is the right place to hear this case,” said a statement from his lawyer Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, which was available to the German Press Agency .
The woman’s perspective
The plaintiff claims that she met Polanski at a party in 1973 and accepted an invitation to dinner a few months later. The director therefore knew that she was underage. He gave her tequila to drink in his house and in a restaurant. She felt sick.
She remembers waking up in his bed and defending herself against his sexual assaults. She clearly said no, but Polanski ignored this. The lawsuit alleges rape, sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress.
In a civil case, the defendant does not have to appear in court, Allred said. In such lawsuits with claims for damages, an out-of-court settlement is often reached instead of a trial.
Polanski on the run
The French-Polish director has been on the run from US authorities since 1978 after being charged with sex with a minor. At the time, Polanski admitted to having illicit sex with a 13-year-old but denied rape.
He fled the USA when a guilty verdict and a prison sentence became apparent. Since then, he has lived mostly in France and avoids visiting countries that have an extradition treaty with the United States.
Especially since the emergence of the #MeToo movement in 2017, several women have accused Polanski of sexual abuse, particularly in the 1970s. Allegations which he denies. In the wake of #MeToo, Polanski was also kicked out of the Oscar Academy in 2018. For many he has now become an undesirable person.
Also accused in France
He is currently facing charges of defamation in Paris. British actress Charlotte Lewis accused Polanski of sexually abusing her in the 1980s. She was 16 years old at the time. Polanski had rejected the allegations as lies.
In an interview with the magazine “Paris Match” at the end of 2019, he also referred to statements by the actress that, in his opinion, questioned the allegations: “The basic quality of a good liar is an excellent memory,” Polanski said. “Charlotte Lewis is always included in the list of my accusers without ever pointing out these contradictions.” These statements are now in court.
He did not appear in the courtroom at the start of the trial last week. A verdict is due on May 14th. In addition to the filmmaker, the editor of “Paris Match” also has to answer.