Roman Polanski Arrested in Sex Case
Credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
After fleeing the United States in 1978, Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski was arrested Saturday by Swiss police and faces possible extradition to back to the U.S. for having sex with a thirteen-year-old girl in 1977.
Set to receive an honorary award at the Zurich Film Festival, the director, 76, was taken into custody upon his arrival at the airport, the Associated Press reports. Polanski's arrest has said to have been sought globally for the past four years.
"There was a valid arrest request and we knew when he was coming," ministry spokesman Guido Balmer told The Associated Press. "That's why he was taken into custody." Balmer also added that the U.S. needs to make a formal extradition request.
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In the statement released by Swiss authorities, Polanski is said to be in "provisional detention for extradition," but will not be transferred to U.S. authorities until all proceedings are completed. He has the right to contest his detention and any extradition decision in Swiss courts.
The filmmaker, who helmed such projects as Rosemary's Baby and 2002's The Pianist, fled the U.S. in the 70s after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old. Polanski, who has lived for the last 30 years in France, left the country before his sentencing, and has since asked a judge to dismiss the case against him.
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Earlier this year, a California judge demanded Polanski return to the U.S. in order to formally apply for the case's dismissal, but when he refused to appear in person for fear of being arrested as a fugitive, Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza denied his request.
Polanski, who received a directing Oscar for The Pianist, is married to French actress Emanuelle Seigner, and has two children.
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63Throw the book at him. And to the 13 year old, now lady, give her justice and peace.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HOLLYWOOD IS. ONLY THEY CAN COMMIT CRIMES AND GET AWAY WITH IT. ONLY THEY CAN JETSET AROUND THE WORLD AND LECTURE US ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING. ONLY THEY GET TO DRIVE SUV'S AND RIDE IN LIMO'S AND LECTURE US ABOUT POLLUTION. ONLY THEY CAN LIVE IN 6000 SQFT HOUSES AND LECTURE US ABOUT SAVING ENERGY. THIS IS WHO THEY ARE. THEY LIVE IN A FANTASY AND WORK IN A FANTASY. SOME WILL SAY THIS CRIME IS OLD, HE'S AN OLD MAN, LET HIM LIVE IN PEACE. BUT LETS ALL CONTINUE TO WORSHIP HOLLYWOOD. LETS GIVE THIS MAN SOME MONEY SO HE CAN GO LIVE SOMEWHERE QUIETLY. DO ANY OF U NOTICE HOW HOLLYWOOD IS COMING TO HIS DEFENSE. I HOPE HE HANGS, NOW LETS DO THE RIGHT THING AND SAVE THE CALIFORNIA SMELT.
anyone defending him or supporting him should go to hell - this includes all of the disgusting actors who worked with him even while knowing the gravity of his crime.
Who can possibly defend this monster? The victim has had to relive the horrible event at every attempt that failed. He is a coward who has been rewarded a lavish lifestyle. He is a criminal. Treat him like one. Dammit.
It's about time. They have been talking about this for years.
GET HIM!
The person who is responsible the most in all of that is victim's mother!!!
He is a child molester, she was 13, I don't care that it happened 32 yrs ago. He fled the country. This creep should have spent time in prison, he should be filed as a sexual predator, because that's what he is. Who knows how many other girls he may have raped, in France too. Bring him back, put him away. Doesn't matter who he is or how many awards he has, he's a sick, evil man.
you all need to to watch the documentary titled "Wanted and Desired". It gives details about this case that will blow your mind. This guy was not treated properly and was not given a fair trial. I would have ran too!!
I wanna sniff his hands.
You mean there is a legal system in the country of California?? I thought it was a country were anything goes!!
Does anyone realize this pervert was 44 years old when he had sex with a 13 year old child? That is so disgusting. Does everyone think he only did that one time to one child?! I hope he goes to prison and some burly prisoners take care of this child molester.
Michael Jackson isn't white!
Oh well he'll probably get off like all the other "white men" who sexually molest little girls and boys. Ugh!
juliette, tu racontes n'importe quoi, TAIS TOI, ce type est UN PEDOPHILE, et c'est UNE HONTE que le gouvernement francais le protege!! Ah mais je sais, la justice n'est pas la meme, selon que tu sois puissant ou miserable! Honte honte honte! tu dirais quoi si cetait arrive a ta gamine ou ton gosse??
FYI: i'm french and let me say a lot of french (almost everybody!!) think he deserves to be punished!!!! shame on the french governement!!!! and congrats to swiss!
This bum enjoyed his entire rich life, after what he did.
He drugged a 13 year old girl and sodomized her twice. He fled to France, because France loves their pedophiles more than they love their wine and cheese. For decades he thumbed his nose at the American Government as France, his money and celebrity protected him. I hope he shares a cell withh OJ and Phil Spector. And I hope Woody Allen the second most famous pedophile, joins him next.
revenge??this has nothing to do with revenge, the man left the country before his sentencing so that means he's a fugitive. being jewish and good director don't give him the right to escape justice.
revenge??this has nothing to do with revenge, the man left the country before his sentencing so that means he's a fugitive. being jewish and good director don't give him the right to escape justice.