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Polanski Could Go Free on $4.5M Bail

Director remains in jail pending appeal of Swiss court ruling

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2009 12:25 PM CST

(Newser) – Roman Polanksi may soon be free to take a pricey vacation from jail to his Swiss chalet, with ankle bracelet. A Swiss court has agreed to free him on $4.5 million bail, the BBC reports, provided he surrender his passport and submit to electronic monitoring. He's still behind bars for the time being while the government decides whether to appeal. Swiss officials are separately deciding whether to extradite him to the US.

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Roman Polanski. (AP Photo)

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The 76-year-old appellant is married and the father of two minors. It can be assumed that as a responsible father he will, especially in view of his advanced age, attach greater importance to the financial security of his family.
- Swiss Criminal Court

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 10 comments

shopgirl1623

Nov 26, 2009 10:07 AM CST

You can view it online if you have netflix.

shopgirl1623

Nov 26, 2009 10:04 AM CST

Watch the documentary: Roman Polanski Wanted and Desired. -- Facts are he served his time according to law... that the Judge in the case was dismissed for illegal conduct, because he was worried about his own image on the case. Polanski is no angel, but he's not the devil either. I too thought he should fry for the crime, but until you have the facts, the real facts, that is an unfounded opinion that I now regret having written in prior comments. The fact is that the Santa Monica court said he could come back, resolve the case and that he would serve no more time, but that it would be televised and this he turned down. -- That's right a court ordered media frenzy. -- After learning the facts in the case, as voiced by his attorney and the district attorney prosecuting the case, he doesn't deserve the wrath that has befallen him today. The documentary also includes extensive interviews with all the persons involved including the victim. I'm now of the mind, that he should be set free, be allowed to resolve his case without in-court media coverage and live out the rest of his life in peace. The facts are, he completely complied with the US justice system, until the judge started making ILLEGAL maneuvers to save face. AGAIN... know the facts before you judge this man in the court of public opinion. The media is only giving you the salacious bits to sell their papers and news programs and paint him as a monster. See the documentary before you offer up any more glop. I mean it.

Kookey90

Nov 26, 2009 2:44 AM CST

I would think our friend Ro-Man, as the boys in cell Block C call him, would have a hard time leaving his newly found boy friends behind. I think he's found true "piece" where he's at.

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Crime & Courts • World

Switzerland • extradition • Roman Polanski • electronic monitoring • Swiss Justice Ministry • Roman Polanski bail • Swiss court • chalet

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Check Out Polanski's Chalet—Er, Prison

Director awaiting extradition can throw parties, but can't leave

(NEWSER) - Security technicians put the final touches on the electronic monitoring system at Roman Polanski’s Swiss chalet ahead of the director’s arrival there under house arrest. Swiss officials say they await only the arrival of $4.5 million in bail, after which Polanski will be free to leave prison for the confines of his mountain getaway. The terms of his incarceration will be lax, a justice ministry spokesman tells the Mirror . “He will have no prison regime.” More»

Polanski to Be Moved to House Arrest

Director will trade jail cell for Swiss chalet

(NEWSER) - Swiss authorities have decided not to appeal a decision to grant bail to Roman Polanski and the director will definitely be moved from his prison cell to his chalet in an Alpine resort within days. Polanski will have to wear an electronic bracelet and remain under house arrest during extradition proceedings by US authorities seeking to force him to Los Angeles to face charges of sex with a minor, the Independent reports. More»

Polanski Moved to Secret Location

Swiss seek to shield director from the media

(NEWSER) - Roman Polanski has been shifted from a Zurich jail to an undisclosed location for "security reasons and personal protection," say Swiss authorities. Polanski will be released to his Alpine chalet today and authorities plan to restrict access to the neighborhood if the media become disruptive. The filmmaker will wear an electronic tag and have his calls monitored while he awaits a ruling on whether he will be extradited to the US to be sentenced for having illegal sex with a minor, the Los Angeles Times reports. More»

Polanski Loses Bid for Bail

Court rules director must remain behind bars

(AP) - Roman Polanski will remain in a Swiss jail while authorities decide whether to extradite him to the US in his 31-year-old statutory rape case, a Swiss court ruled today. The court ruled against releasing the director on bail or under house arrest because he posed a high flight risk. Polanski, who was arrested last month in Zurich, can appeal the verdict to the country's supreme court. More»

Swiss Shoot Down Polanski's Freedom Bid

Says director would likely flee

(AP) - 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. More»

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Polanski Could Go Free on $4.5M Bail