This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8277176.stm
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Roman Polanski detained in Zurich | Roman Polanski detained in Zurich |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Director Roman Polanski has been taken into custody on a 31-year-old US arrest warrant, Swiss police have confirmed. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 Angeles1978 - flees to Britain after US arrest warrant is issued 1978 - immediately moves to France where he holds citizenship1978 - settles in France, where he is protected by France's limited extradition with US2008 - Polanski's lawyer demands case be dismissed and hearing moved out of LA court2009 - Polanski's request to have hearing outside LA is denied class="" href="/2/hi/entertainment/2712371.stm">Profile: Roman Polanski | |
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. | 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. | 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". | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Switzerland has an extradition treaty with the US. |
What is your reaction to this news? Send us your comments using the form below. | What is your reaction to this news? Send us your comments using the form below. |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |