Roman Polanski: timeline of US attempts to capture director

Roman Polanski's life has been tumultuous since childhood Photo: PA

By Nick Allen

A timeline released by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office shows how attempts were made to catch up with him in countries including England, Thailand, Canada and Israel.

Feb 1978: The US Extradition Services Section opened a file after confirming that Polanski was living in France.

May 1978: It was learned Polanski may be in England and a formal extradition package was submitted.

Dec 1986: Royal Canadian Mounted Police were consulted after information that Polanski may be visiting Canada.

May 1998: The arrest warrant was verified as still active after information was received that Polanski may travel to Germany, Denmark, Sweden or Brazil.

June 1994: A provisional arrest warrant request was made to France.

Oct 2005: An Interpol Red Notice was submitted to Thailand because Polanski was supposed to be visiting.

July 2007: Israeli authorities requested extra details when Polanski visited but by the time the information arrived he had left.

Sept 2009: Information received that Polanski was scheduled to appear at a film festival in Zurich, Switzerland. An application for a provisional arrest warrant was prepared and then executed by Swiss authorities. Link...