Director Roman Polanski was arrested by Swiss police as he flew in for the Zurich Film Festival and faces possible extradition to the United States for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl, authorities said Sunday.
Polanski was scheduled to receive an honorary award at the festival when he was apprehended Saturday at the airport, the Swiss Justice Ministry said in a statement. It said U.S. authorities have sought the arrest of the 76-year-old director around the world since 2005.
“There was a valid arrest request and we knew when he was coming,” ministry spokesman Guido Balmer told The Associated Press. “That’s why he was taken into custody.” Balmer said the U.S. would now have to make a formal extradition request.
If you have not seen the HBO documentary on this subject, do so. It is remarkable in what it reveals -- about the case, about the people involved, including the now fortyish woman who was at the center of the late '70's maelstrom, even about the life and cinematic career of the enigmatic director.
But most remarkable of all were the comments of the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case, a devout Mormon named Roger Gunson:
"I'm not surprised (Polanski) left under those circumstances."
What were "the circumstances"?
Judge (Laurence J.) Rittenband, who'd presided over the Elvis and Priscilla divorce and a paternity suit against Cary Grant, badly wanted to try the case. He loved publicity and the media storm was already at gale force. ... Polanski pleaded guilty to "unlawful sexual intercourse"; probation was the recommendation. But the judge began to maneuver behind the scenes: he wanted to look tough for the press, though not necessarily send Polanski to prison. He asked a reporter for advice on what sentence he should give; he gave regular interviews to a Hollywood gossip columnist. The day before the sentencing—despite an agreement with Dalton and Gunson—Rittenband was overheard bragging at his country club that he was going to lock up Polanski for the rest of his life.
A maniacal, ethically corrupt judge, defiantly violating a defendant's constitutional rights to a fair hearing. Yep, a Republican.
Glenn Beck would be so proud.
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