Academy stands by decision to expel Polanski

The film academy is standing behind its decision to expel director Roman Polanski, who has asked a court to reinstate him.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, said in a statement that "the procedures taken to expel Mr. Polanski were fair and reasonable."

On Friday, lawyers for the 85-year-old Polanski filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court asking that a judge restore his membership because he wasn’t given a fair chance to make his case to the academy.

The Academy says it "stands behind its decision as appropriate."

Polanski was expelled from the academy in May over sexual misconduct.

He fled the U.S. for Europe more than 40 years ago after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with a minor.