Roman Polanski has refused to return to the U.S. for a hearing this week where his attorneys will seek the dismissal of his long-running rape case.

In legal documents filed on Monday, Polanski's lawyers claim his personal appearance in the U.S. is "neither necessary nor relevant" for the hearing to go ahead.

Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl in 1977 and subsequently fled to France.

He wants the sex assault case dropped after the 2008 documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted & Desired offered new information about the allegedly improper actions of a now-deceased judge who presided over the initial hearing.

But in February, the judge overseeing the case ruled Polanski must appear in court in order for him to consider dismissal.

Polanski risks arrest if he returns to the U.S.

Roman Polanski Gallery

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)