Polanski asks Swiss court to free him from custody (AP)

filed a motion in court Tuesday asking that the Oscar-winning director be released from Swiss custody — the first step in his legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States for a 1977 statutory rape case.

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criminal court ruling and through any appeal from either side. Then, in a separate legal operation, he must contest an expected U.S. extradition request that has not yet been received by the Swiss. The criminal court will decide on the legality of the American request for Polanski's apprehension, Swiss Justice Ministry spokesman Guido Balmer told The Associated Press. The Justice Ministry and Polanski could later seek to overturn any decision at Switzerland 's highest court, the Federal Tribunal.

Full Story: Polanski asks Swiss court to free him from custody (AP)