The Swiss authorities have refused a request by the 76-year-old actor and Polish-born director Roman Polanski to be released on bail. The Swiss Justice Ministry says the risk is too high that he may flee the country in order to avoid extradition to the United States.

Mr Polanski was detained in Switzerland on 26 September in connection with an international arrest warrant issued in 1978 by United States authorities for a sexual offence. He had travelled to Switzerland to attend the Zurich Film Festival, where he was due to receive a special honour for his lifetime achievements, the Golden Icon Award. The film director holds dual French and Polish nationality and both countries demanded that he be released immediately.

Mr Polanski, who began his film career in Poland, later directed films in France and Great Britain before moving to the US in 1968. However, he fled the US in 1977 after he was accused of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl at a party. At the time, he admitted having had sex with a minor. However, before the case could come to trial he fled to France, where he has lived for most of the time, travelling back and forth to Poland.

The woman in question has received damages from Mr Polanski and asked that the case be closed, saying it causes her severe emotional distress. The US judicial authorities, however, insist on prosecuting the film director.

 
Mr Polanski is best known for such films as Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby. He received an Academy Award for Directing The Pianist in 2002, but was not able to attend the Hollywood ceremony because he would have been arrested. After it was announced that he had received the Best Director Award he received a standing ovation, in absentia, from most of those present.
 

Roman Polanski receiving Crystal Globe in 2005
Phorto by Wikimedia Commons