Film director Roman Polanski was arrested Saturday night in Switzerland as he arrived for the Zurich Film Festival.
Polanski was stopped by police who are acting in accordance with a warrant for his arrest issued by American authorities.
"There was a valid arrest request and we knew when he was coming," Swiss ministry spokesman Guido Balmer told The Associated Press. "That's why he was taken into custody."
Now the US will have to make a formal extradition request, which Polanski can appeal against.
Polanski fled the US in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl. He's been living in France for the past 30 years since that country does not have an extradition treaty covering his crime with the States.
Since then, he has continued to work, making films such as The Pianist (for which he received an Oscar) and appearing in the likes of Rush Hour 3.
The director has attempted to have his case thrown out several times, citing evidence of misconduct by the judge (now deceased) who arranged a plea bargain for him, then reneged on it.
Upon learning of the change in his future, Polanski opted to run. These days, the 76-year-old filmmaker is married to actress Emmanuelle Seigner, with whom he has two children.
The case continues.
[Source: Variety ]
What do you think about Polanski's case? Should it be left in the past - like his alleged victim insists - or should he still be forced to answer for his actions?
