New Polanski documents: Swiss say they were rebuffed by US on request for transcripts
By APWednesday, July 14, 2010
New documents show Swiss sought Polanski data
LOS ANGELES — The Swiss government says it was rebuffed by the U.S. Justice Department when it asked for sealed transcripts in the Roman Polanski extradition case, according to newly obtained documents.
A letter from Swiss officials to the American Embassy at Bern said the key reason for the Swiss decision denying Polanski’s extradition to the United States was the refusal to show them the transcripts of testimony by Polanski’s original prosecutor regarding the director’s sex case 33 years ago. The letter was obtained by The Associated Press Wednesday night.
A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said they were never notified of the Swiss request. Justice Department spokeswoman Laura Sweeney said Wednesday night that she would look into the matter.
