Roman Polanski won't head France's Cesar Awards jury

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski has pulled out of the 2017 France's Cesar Awards after his appointment to head the jury outraged French women right's groups.
French feminist organizations were planning to protest the awards, which will take place in Paris on February 24, following Polanski's appointment as president of the ceremony as he has been wanted in the US for decades after admitting to sex with a minor.
A lawyer for the 83-year-old filmmaker confirmed the news on Tuesday, reported BBC.
"The controversy... Deeply saddened Roman Polanski and affected his family. However, in order not to disturb the Cesars ceremonies, which should focus on the cinema and not on the appointment of the (event's) president, Roman Polanski has decided not accept the invitation...

"And will not preside over the next Cesars ceremonies," said Polanski's lawyer Herve Temime.
Polanski, who has been wanted in the US, since he fled the country following a conviction for statutory rape in 1977, lives in France.
Also, an online petition received more than 42,000 signatures calling for Polanski to be removed as head of the jury.