Roman Polanski to Give Evidence Via Video Link

Polish director Roman Polanski will fight a libel case against a Vanity Fair article by video conference.

Feb 11 2005

Roman Polanski has won the right to give evidence via video link from Paris in a libel case.

The 'Chinatown' director is suing Condé Nast, publisher of Vanity Fair, over an article alleging that 35 years ago he propositioned a woman on the way back from the funeral of his wife, Sharon Tate.

However, having fled the US in the 1970s following an underage sex charge, Polanski faces extradition if he appears in an English court.

As a French citizen he cannot be extradited though, and yesterday the House of Lords ruled by a three-two majority that he should not be denied access to justice.

Speaking of the decision, Lord Nicholls said: 'Despite his furtive status, a fugitive from justice is entitled to invoke the assistance of the court and its procedures in protection of his civil rights.'

He continued: 'That is his right and he wishes to exercise it. He is not trying to hide from anybody. It is incorrect, then, to say that his sole aim in seeking this order is to avoid being extradited.'

Vanity Fair solicitor David Hopper said the case is likely to be heard in several months time, adding that it would be 'vigorously defended' by the magazine.