LAWYERS for filmmaker Roman Polanski have launched a new bid to have the Oscar winner’s 37-year-old child sex case closed, which would allow “The Pianist” director to travel freely without the threat of extradition.

    Polanski’s attorneys filed a motion Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking a hearing next month where they would ask to submit evidence in the hopes of proving that the 81-year-old director has been subjected to “false” extradition requests by U.S. authorities. High-profile lawyer Alan Dershowitz has also asked the court for permission to represent Polanski.

    The filmmaker was charged in 1977 with raping a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles. He later pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor.

    But the director fled the United States to France before sentencing. (SD-Agencies)