Roman Polanski to be freed on bail
Roman Polanski to be freed on bail
Thursday, 26, Nov 2009 01:53
By Lewis Bazley.
Director Roman Polanski is to be bailed by Swiss authorities over his arrest for sex with an underage girl, it has been confirmed.
The Chinatown helmer was arrested at the Zurich Film Festival in September over his 1977 conviction for sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer, after which he fled the US.
The Swiss justice ministry last month rejected an appeal from the 76-year-old to be released from prison pending a potential extradition to the US, but it is understood the director will now be freed on bail.
According to the Associated Press news agency, Polanski's bail offer of $4.5 million (£2.7 million, ?3 million) has been accepted by a Swiss court.
He will be permitted to remain under house arrest at his chalet in Gstaad with "constant electronic surveillance" and an electronic tag that will be activated if he attempts to leave the property.
Folco Galli, a spokesman for the Swiss justice ministry, told the Associated Press Polanski's transfer from jail to his chalet would be handled discreetly.
"We don't want to show him off like an exotic animal," Mr Galli explained.
"It will not be a matter of hours... The bail has to be transferred, transport needs to be organised and the house arrest must be organised."
The bail decision, however, does not affect the Swiss government's inquiry into whether Polanski should still be extradited to the US, with a decision due in the next month.