Check Out Polanski's Chalet—Er, Prison

Director awaiting extradition can throw parties, but can't leave
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 30, 2009 8:57 AM CST
Check Out Polanski's Chalet—Er, Prison
A security firm vehicle parked in front of the garage of film director Roman Polanski's chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland.   (AP Photo)

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.”

Polanski will also be allowed to host parties at the Gstaad chalet as he awaits possible extradition to face the US charges he fled more than 30 years ago. The only restriction, of course, is that Polanski cannot leave the house, which is now fitted with a $2,000 security system designed to keep him in. He has to foot that bill, as well as $200 a month for the service—and, of course, will forfeit the full $4.5 million if the alarm goes off. (More Roman Polanski bail stories.)

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