Swiss Shoot Down Polanski's Freedom Bid

Says director would likely flee
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 6, 2009 7:53 AM CDT
Swiss Shoot Down Polanski's Freedom Bid
Filmmaker Roman Polanski's Swiss lawyer, Lorenz Erni, leaves his office, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Steffen Schmidt)

The Swiss Justice Ministry has rejected an appeal from Roman Polanski to be released from prison pending his possible extradition to the United States. The government believes there is a high risk that Polanski might flee if released from custody, a military spokesman tells the AP. The appeal is separate from a court case Polanski's legal team filed last week that also seeks the 76-year-old director's freedom.

Polanski was apprehended Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive an award from a film festival. US authorities asked for his arrest and want him extradited for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl. (More Roman Polanski stories.)

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