Roman Polanski Arrested In Switzerland

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski, who fled the U.S. in 1978 after pleading guilty to having sex with then 13-year-old Samantha Geimer in California, has been arrested in Switzerland.

The 76-year-old was due to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival, where in a statement they said he was held on his arrival in Switzerland on Saturday.

When Polanski left the country more than 30 years ago before his sentencing, a U.S. warrant was issued for his arrest.

Polanski, a French citizen, has not been back to the U.S. since and has sought to have the case dismissed against him.

The Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police confirmed Polanski’s arrest on an outstanding American warrant and said a decision to extradite him to the U.S. is subject to judicial procedure.

On Sunday a friend of Polanski told People:

“Why now? We don’t understand. Roman has been to Switzerland before so we don’t understand why he’s been arrested this time.”

A California judge demanded Polanski return to the U.S. earlier this year to apply for dismissal, although Polanski has refused to for fear of being arrested on arrival as a fugitive.Some of Polanski’s films include Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown and 2002’s The Pianist, where he was named Best Director, which Harrison Ford accepted for him.

Above photo is Samantha Geimer picture then

Samantha Geimer Picture Now