Roman Polanski detained in Zurich

[Sense0Purpose1]

Roman Polanski detained in Zurich


Director Roman Polanski has been taken into custody on a 31-year-old US arrest warrant, Swiss police have confirmed.

The film-maker, 76, was detained on Saturday as he travelled to Switzerland to collect a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival.

Mr Polanski admitted unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in the US in 1977, but fled to France before sentencing.

In recent years, he has tried to have the rape case dismissed, but a US judge formally rejected his requests in May.

Mr Polanski was initially indicted on six felony counts and faced up to life in prison.

He claims the original judge, who is now dead, arranged a plea bargain but later reneged.

CASE TIMELINE
1977 - Polanski admits unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer, 13, in Los Angeles
1978 - flees to Britain after US arrest warrant is issued
1978 - immediately moves to France where he holds citizenship
1978 - settles in France, where he is protected by France's limited extradition with US
2008 - Polanski's lawyer demands case be dismissed and hearing moved out of LA court
2009 - Polanski's request to have hearing outside LA is denied
Earlier this year, Judge Peter Espinoza agreed there was misconduct by the judge in the original case, but said Mr Polanski must return to the US to apply for dismissal.

Mr Polanski's lawyers said he would not return to the US because he would be immediately arrested as a fugitive.

The victim at the centre of the case, Samantha Geimer, has also asked for the charges to be dropped, saying the continued publication of details "causes harm to me, my husband and children".

She has also called the court's insistence that Mr Polanski appear in person "a cruel joke".

The Polish-born filmmaker has not set foot in the US for more than 30 years. He has even avoided making films in the UK for fear of extradition.

His Oscar for directing the 2002 The Pianist was collected by Harrison Ford, who had previously starred in his 1988 thriller, Frantic.

The organisers of the Zurich Film Festival said Polanski's detention had caused "shock and dismay," but that they would go ahead with a planned retrospective of the director's work.

A special ceremony is planned for Sunday night "to allow everyone to express their solidarity for Roman Polanski and their admiration for his work," festival managers said in a statement.

Switzerland has an extradition treaty with the US.

[Iowa #1603]

Ironically -------------------Susan Atkins died earlier this week.

[RR_Security]

The film-maker, 76, was detained on Saturday as he travelled to Switzerland to collect a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival.

Apparently he didn't go for the "you have won a home entertainment system" ruse that will bag a lot of mopes with outstanding warrants.

A special ceremony is planned for Sunday night "to allow everyone to express their solidarity for Roman Polanski"

[JasperST]

I can imagine Hollywood celebs lining up in his defense already. Would there even be a trial since he admitted guilt or just a sentencing?

[VTlawman]

The Zurich Film Festival needs to present Osama bin Laden with an award now.

[pulicords]

The victim at the centre of the case, Samantha Geimer, has also asked for the charges to be dropped, saying the continued publication of details "causes harm to me, my husband and children".

She has also called the court's insistence that Mr Polanski appear in person "a cruel joke".

Does anyone care to speculate as to whether or not a substantial civil settlement was reached with Ms Geimer that might have affected her opinion???

Roman Polanski was never denied "his day in court", but this case certainly proves that (with enough money) some people can escape or delay justice more than others. It doesn't matter if the perpetrator is a "talented" director/producer, a soccer coach, or a priest, those adults who sexually abuse minors should be held to answer.

[L-1]

If the judge agrees there was misconduct, I think could either order a new trial, or simply dismiss the charges. After this amount of time a retrial would be unlikely, especially since the victim would probably not cooperate. Did she ever sue or attempt to sue him civily? Anyone know?

I'm trying to figure out what the judicial misconduct was. Polanski plead guilty, then skipped bail while awaiting sentencing.

[pulicords]

I'm trying to figure out what the judicial misconduct was.

You must have missed the "documentary" shown on HBO. It was as thorough and unbiased as Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" or Oliver Stone's "JFK." Who needs a criminal justice system when you have film makers?

[Monkeybomb]

He pled guilty. Time to spend your time in prison. How many times has he repeated his crime in Europe? Just because you have succesfully ran and hid from the consequences doesn't mean its OK.

[RR_Security]

Does anyone care to speculate as to whether or not a substantial civil settlement was reached with Ms Geimer that might have affected her opinion???

Maybe she doesn't want any of his ******* supporters calling her "Lolita."

Roman Polanski was never denied "his day in court", but this case certainly proves that (with enough money) some people can escape or delay justice more than others. It doesn't matter if the perpetrator is a "talented" director/producer, a soccer coach, or a priest, those adults who sexually abuse minors should be held to answer.

That's pretty much what was said in the most intelligent comment on the page where I found the above photo. In short, it was "do the crime, do the time."

I'm wondering if the "judicial misconduct" was that the judge didn't go along with the sentence worked out in the plea agreement: 42 days. For sedating an adolescent with champagne and Quaalude and then having sex with her? "Put on the orange jumpsuit, get in your cell and shut up, or we'll make you wear a 'Short Eyes' sign, too."

[mikeymedic]

Send him to the worst pokey out there.

[Nessmuk]

What goes around, comes around.

Put him away.

[PhilipCal]

Pretty much an Extradition situation at present. Swiss Police have him in custody. Pretty well a given that Polanski won't waive extradition and return to the U.S. (Calif). It'll be interesting to see how hard the U.S. State Dept pushes the extradition issue with the Swiss. If the Swiss release Polanski pending a hearing, he goes to France and basically stays safe. OTH, if they continue to hold him, we could have a pretty interesting drama unfold. Right now Polanski is probably sweating a little. All we have to do is watch. Oh, and yeah, you have to wonder if the "Fix" isn't already in reference the "victim:.

[DACP]

The organisers of the Zurich Film Festival said Polanski's detention had caused "shock and dismay," but that they would go ahead with a planned retrospective of the director's work.

Thats so touching

A special ceremony is planned for Sunday night "to allow everyone to express their solidarity for Roman Polanski and their admiration for his work," festival managers said in a statement.

how fitting for some on who was initially indicted on six felony counts and faced up to life in prison, and admitted unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.
But his films, his films they are so touching. One news story even went so far as to paint him as a victim from his mother dying in the concentration camps, to his wife's murder to his living in exile.

[Trempel]

Whatever he achieved in life as a great artist, whatever pains he endured as a Holocaust survivor and having pregnant wife so brutally murdered - none of it matters here. He intentionally drugged a 13yo girl and then forced himself on her. Period, end of story.