New allegations of rape against director Polanski in the US Kenya is likely to postpone the deployment of police officers to Haiti

Acclaimed and controversial director Roman Polanski is once again facing allegations of rape of minors. In California, an unnamed woman has filed a civil lawsuit against the world star.

Polanski drugged and raped the then-minor in his Los Angeles home in 1973, the plaintiff’s attorney, Gloria Allred, said at a news conference on Tuesday (local time). A judge has set a trial date for August 2025, the attorney said.

Polanski, 90, had his lawyers dismiss the charges. “Mr. Polanski firmly rejects the allegations in the lawsuit and 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.

Plaintiff claims she met Polanski at a party in 1973 and accepted an invitation to dinner a few months later. So the director knew she was underage. He gave her tequila to drink at his house and at a restaurant. She felt sick. She remembers waking up in his bed and defending herself from his sexual attacks. She clearly said no, but Polanski ignored this. The lawsuit alleges rape, sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress.

In a civil case, the suspect does not have to appear in court, Allred said. In such lawsuits involving damage claims, an amicable settlement is often reached instead of a lawsuit.

The French-Polish director has been on the run from American authorities since 1978 after being accused of having sex with a minor. Polanski admitted at the time to having illicit sex with a 13-year-old, but denied rape. He fled the US when a guilty verdict and prison sentence became apparent. Since then, he has lived mainly in France and avoids visiting countries that have an extradition treaty with the United States.

Especially since the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017, several women have accused Polanski of sexual abuse, especially in the 1970s. Accusations he denies. In the wake of #MeToo, Polanski was also expelled from the Oscar Academy in 2018. For many he has now become an unwanted person.

He is currently being sued in Paris for defamation. British actress Charlotte Lewis accused Polanski of sexually assaulting her in the 1980s. She was 16 years old at the time. Polanski had dismissed the accusations as lies.

In an interview with the magazine ‘Paris Match’ at the end of 2019, he also referred to statements made by the actress who, in his opinion, cast doubt on 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 before the court.

He did not appear in court at the start of the trial last week. A ruling will be made on May 14. In addition to the filmmaker, the editor of ‘Paris Match’ also has to answer. (sda/dpa)