Los Angeles prosecutors said Tuesday they will no longer oppose the release of sealed transcripts in the statutory rape case against Roman Polanski -- documents which the fugitive director has previously argued could reveal judicial misconduct. George Gascon, the Los Angeles County district attorney, said his office had "determined it to be in the interest of justice to agree to the unsealing of these transcripts."

"This case has been described by the courts as 'one of the longest-running sagas in California criminal justice history,'" said Gascon in a statement.&nbsp;

"For years, this office has fought the release of information that the victim and public have a right to know."

While it is not known what exactly the transcripts contain, they include testimony by former Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson, the first prosecutor to handle Polanski's case.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/french-actor-accuses-oscar-winner-roman-polanski-of-sexual-assault-260990">French actor accuses Oscar-winner Roman Polanski of sexual assault</a>

In 1977, French-Polish director Polanski was arrested after 13-year-old Samantha Gailey accused him of plying her with drugs and champagne and forcibly sodomizing her. Seeking to spare the child a trial, prosecutors dropped the most serious charges in a plea deal, with Polanski accepting guilt for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

He served 42 days in prison while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. When it appeared that the judge, Laurence Rittenband, was set to reconsider and hand down a much lengthier prison sentence, Polanski fled to France, where he still resides.

The ‘Rosemary's Baby’ and ‘Chinatown’ director has not returned to the United States since and has been engaged in a decades-long cat-and-mouse game with officials seeking his extradition, before a global audience split between continuing outrage and forgiveness for his acts.

According to Gascon's statement, Polanski first requested the transcripts be unsealed "several years ago" in order to "conduct an investigation into alleged judicial misconduct." Gascon also described the circumstances in which Polanski was initially treated by prosecutors as "extraordinary" and added that his office was committed to "transparency and accountability for all in the justice system."

The Hollywood Reporter said the new request to see the transcripts came not from Polanski, but from two journalists.&nbsp;

Gailey publicly forgave Polanski in 1997 and said her treatment by the press and judicial system was worse than the original crime. She has also previously called for the transcripts to be unsealed.

But Gascon's statement concludes: "Polanski remains a fugitive from justice and should surrender himself to the Los Angeles County Superior Court to be sentenced."

In more recent years, Polanski -- now 88 -- has also been accused of other historic sex crimes by different women. He denies the allegations, for which the statute of limitations has expired.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-roman-polanski-revisits-holocaust-boyhood-in-new-film-388494">Roman Polanski revisits Holocaust boyhood in new film</a>

Los Angeles prosecutors said Tuesday they will no longer oppose the release of sealed transcripts in the statutory rape case against Roman Polanski -- documents which the fugitive director has previously argued could reveal judicial misconduct.

Los Angeles prosecutors said Tuesday they will no longer oppose the release of sealed transcripts in the statutory rape case against Roman Polanski -- documents which the fugitive director has previously argued could reveal judicial misconduct. George Gascon, the Los Angeles County district attorney, said his office had "determined it to be in the interest of justice to agree to the unsealing of these transcripts." "This case has been described by the courts as 'one of the longest-running sagas in California criminal justice history,'" said Gascon in a statement. "For years, this office has fought the release of information that the victim and public have a right to know." While it is not known what exactly the transcripts contain, they include testimony by former Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson, the first prosecutor to handle Polanski's case. Also Read: French actor accuses Oscar-winner Roman Polanski of sexual assault In 1977, French-Polish director Polanski was arrested after 13-year-old Samantha Gailey accused him of plying her with drugs and champagne and forcibly sodomizing her. Seeking to spare the child a trial, prosecutors dropped the most serious charges in a plea deal, with Polanski accepting guilt for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He served 42 days in prison while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. When it appeared that the judge, Laurence Rittenband, was set to reconsider and hand down a much lengthier prison sentence, Polanski fled to France, where he still resides. The ‘Rosemary's Baby’ and ‘Chinatown’ director has not returned to the United States since and has been engaged in a decades-long cat-and-mouse game with officials seeking his extradition, before a global audience split between continuing outrage and forgiveness for his acts. According to Gascon's statement, Polanski first requested the transcripts be unsealed "several years ago" in order to "conduct an investigation into alleged judicial misconduct." Gascon also described the circumstances in which Polanski was initially treated by prosecutors as "extraordinary" and added that his office was committed to "transparency and accountability for all in the justice system." The Hollywood Reporter said the new request to see the transcripts came not from Polanski, but from two journalists. Gailey publicly forgave Polanski in 1997 and said her treatment by the press and judicial system was worse than the original crime. She has also previously called for the transcripts to be unsealed. But Gascon's statement concludes: "Polanski remains a fugitive from justice and should surrender himself to the Los Angeles County Superior Court to be sentenced." In more recent years, Polanski -- now 88 -- has also been accused of other historic sex crimes by different women. He denies the allegations, for which the statute of limitations has expired. Also Read: Roman Polanski revisits Holocaust boyhood in new film

US prosecutor says Roman Polanski case transcripts can be unsealed

Polanski, 87, who won an Oscar in 2003, was expelled by the Academy in May 2018 because of the long-standing criminal case which dates back to 1977.

Movie director Roman Polanski loses bid for academy reinstatement

roman-polanski-director

Roman Polanski Director, News on Roman Polanski Director, stories on Roman Polanski Director, articles on Roman Polanski Director, Roman Polanski Director stories at Wion, Roman Polanski Director news, Roman Polanski Director latest news

roman polanski-director

US prosecutor says Roman Polanski case transcripts can be unsealed

Movie director Roman Polanski loses bid for academy reinstatement