BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- An appeals court in California has rejected the French-born Polish film director Roman Polanski's attempt to have his sex case dismissed, according to news reports on Tuesday.

    The renowned film director, who is now under house arrest at his Swiss home, is fighting extradition to the U.S. over a 1977 case of unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.

    The California 2nd District Court of Appeal rejects the petition with an announcement on its website, saying three justices had made the agreement.

    It made clear that the justices were troubled by the misconduct allegations, which a Los Angeles judge alleged by his lawyers, was engaged in "backroom manipulations" whilst handling the case 32 years ago.

    This came almost after a fortnight after the California Court of Appeal of the Second Appellate District heard oral argument on Polanski's petition for writ of mandate.