Roman Polanski to face civil trial in US over alleged 1973 rape / Photo: Loic Venance - AFP/File
-
India's capital shuts all primary schools due to smog
-
Central bank independence 'fundamental' for good policy: Fed official
-
Fritz beats De Minaur to eye ATP Finals last four, Sinner through
-
Doris expecting a 'proper test' against Argentina
-
Russia's exiled opposition hopes for rebirth with Berlin rally
-
EU fines Meta $840 million for 'abusive' Facebook ad practices
-
Springboks boss Erasmus expects England to 'play for Borthwick'
-
Before Leicester, Ranieri's brush with glory with his beloved Roma
-
Stock markets rise as traders weigh future Fed cuts
-
Australian Robinson edges Benazzi to head World Rugby
-
US director Haynes to lead Berlinale 2025 jury
-
Iran tells UN nuclear chief willing to resolve 'ambiguities'
-
Coach owner Tapestry calls off Capri bid on regulatory blocks
-
UK government announces ban on new coal mines
-
US ski star Lindsey Vonn, 40, to attempt competitive return
-
Ranieri comes out of retirement to lead hometown club Roma
-
England recall Steward and Van Poortvliet for South Africa Test
-
EU fines Meta 798 mn euros for Facebook ad antitrust breach
-
Australian Brett Robinson graduates to rugby's top post
-
Brazil looking for motive after attempted Supreme Court bombing
-
Hotels on Booking.com can offer better rates elsewhere: EU
-
EU deforestation ban in chaos as parliament loosens rules
-
Springboks make 12 changes to team for England clash
-
All Blacks fly-half Barrett returns from concussion against France
-
UEFA launches investigation into Premier League referee Coote
-
Monaco Formula One GP extended until 2031
-
Climate finance: who is being asked to pay what at COP29?
-
'Terrible' AI has given tech an existential headache: activist
-
COP29 host tries to calm waters after diplomatic turmoil
-
Late drama as Saudis hold Australia in World Cup qualifier
-
Stock markets diverge as traders weigh future Fed cuts
-
Israel warfare methods 'consistent with genocide': UN committee
-
'In-form leader' Fickou starts for France against New Zealand
-
Iran activist kills himself after demanding release of prisoners
-
Russia shuts Moscow's famed gulag museum
-
London mayor says Trump attacks due to his ethnicity and religion
-
Japan expect tough Indonesia test with World Cup spot in reach
-
Uganda TikToker convicted for insulting president
-
Thousands flee as Typhoon Usagi hits north Philippines
-
Burberry launches turnaround plan as posts loss
-
Fickou starts for France against New Zealand
-
Spain flood epicentre survives fresh rain alert
-
Man with explosives dies in blast at Brazil's Supreme Court
-
Strike hits south Beirut after Israel evacuation warning: AFPTV
-
Most markets drop as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin eases
-
Thousands flee as Typhoon Usagi hits north of Philippines
-
Most Asian markets drop as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin eases
-
King Charles turns 76 after year of little celebration
-
Greece's ambitious 'smart city' by the sea takes shape
-
For profit or for all? Argentine football clubs red-card Milei reforms
NYSE - LSE
| RYCEF | -2.01% | 6.97 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.24% | 24.55 | $ | |
| SCS | -0.22% | 13.34 | $ | |
| CMSD | 0.1% | 24.755 | $ | |
| RBGPF | -1.59% | 59.25 | $ | |
| RELX | 0.43% | 46.32 | $ | |
| RIO | -0.3% | 60.44 | $ | |
| VOD | 0.28% | 8.775 | $ | |
| NGG | 0.46% | 62.41 | $ | |
| BCC | -0.06% | 142.47 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.15% | 27.17 | $ | |
| GSK | 0.09% | 35.14 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.08% | 13.23 | $ | |
| AZN | 0.4% | 65.55 | $ | |
| BTI | 0.38% | 35.555 | $ | |
| BP | 1.11% | 28.89 | $ |
Roman Polanski to face civil trial in US over alleged 1973 rape
French-Polish director Roman Polanski, who fled the US more than four decades ago after being convicted of sexually assaulting a child, will face a civil trial over the alleged rape of another minor years earlier, the woman's lawyer said Tuesday.
The case against the director of "The Pianist" will be heard in Los Angeles in August 2025, said Gloria Allred, a Hollywood lawyer who has represented victims of rapist Harvey Weinstein and others who emerged in the #MeToo era.
While Polanski cannot be forced to attend the trial, said Allred, the civil hearing will be a chance for her client, named in the suit as Jane Doe, to seek justice for the alleged attack in 1973.
The suit, filed last year, claims Polanski took the then-teenager to dinner in 1973 at a restaurant in Los Angeles.
He allegedly gave her tequila, and when she began to feel dizzy, drove her to his home in the tony Benedict Canyon, where he forced himself on her.
"She told him: 'please don't do this,'" Allred told reporters.
"She alleges that he ignored her pleas. She also alleges that defendant Polanski removed plaintiff's clothes and he proceeded to sexually assault her, causing her tremendous physical, emotional pain and suffering."
The woman, whose age was not given, first came forward with allegations against Polanski in 2017, at which time she was identified as "Robin."
The civil suit, which seeks unspecified damages, was filed in June 2023, just before the expiration of a California law that allowed for an extended window for claims against the alleged perpetrators of sexual crimes.
Oscar-winner Polanski, now 90, is a divisive figure, with some in the movie world hailing his creative genius, while others insist he was always a sexual predator.
In the late 1970s, Polanski fled the US while awaiting sentencing for the assault of Samantha Geimer, a 13-year-old whom he drugged and raped.
Geimer has subsequently defended Polanski, and was photographed with him last year.
Polanski, who also directed "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown," currently faces a defamation trial in France by British actress Charlotte Lewis, who claims he assaulted her in 1983, when she was 16.
The director has always denied wrongdoing.
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN
