US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expels sex offenders Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski

Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in April, while Polanski, a renowned director, admitted to raping a 13-year-old four decades ago.

In a statement, the Academy said that it has "voted to expel actor Bill Cosby and director Roman Polanski from its membership in accordance with the organisation's Standards of Conduct".

"The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy's values of respect for human dignity," it added," the statement added.

Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein was removed from the Academy last year, following several allegation of sexual misconduct and assault against him by a string of A-listers.

While neither Cosby, nor Polanski have reacted to the decision taken by AMPAS, the former's wife, Camille, has said that it isn't real justice.

"This tragedy must be undone not just for Bill Cosby, but for the country," she was quoted as saying in the media.

Polanski, an Oscar winning director, served 42 days in prison after he admitted sexually engaging with an underage girl in 1977.

He later fled the US.

Polanski presently holds French and Polish citizenship, by virtue of which he has managed to evade several extradition attempts by the US government.

France does not extradite its own citizens.

Last year, Samantha Geimer, Polanski's victim, told the court that she has forgiven him and wants to move on, but it rejected her plea.

Cosby, formerly the highest paying TV actor in the US, starred in the sitcom The Cosby Show, which aired for eight seasons, from 1984-92. Ironically, he played the role of a loving father in the series.

Cosby was tried for drugging and assaulting ex-basketball player Andrea Constand in 2004.

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