Roman Polanski Arrested in Switzerland

Gotcha, bitch!

Director Roman Polanski was in Zurich, Switzerland to receive a lifetime achievement award from a film festival on Saturday only to find himself facing extradition back to California. Swiss authorities arrested Roman at the request of the U.S. to face a 1978 charge of sex with a minor. Polanski fled to evade his sentence and hasn’t been back to the U.S since.

Back in 1977, Roman drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty under a plea bargain that would have reduced the charges in exchange for a short sentence. Apparently part of the plea agreement was that he would undergo a 90-day psychiatric evaluation before sentencing. He reported for the psychiatric evaluation as directed. After 42 days, he was released. He heard rumors that his original plea deal would not be honored and he would be sentenced to prison, so on the day of his sentencing in 1978, aware the judge would sentence him to more prison time, he fled to France. Obviously something was discovered during that 42 day period that made the judge realize something wasn’t right with Roman i.e. he’s a child rapist, and a short sentence would be too lenient. Authorities in Los Angeles consider Polanski a “convicted felon and fugitive.”

Naturally, Roman, who currently has dual French-Polish citizenship, said through his lawyer he will fight extradition to the United States. According to the lawyer, he was able to speak with Roman from his Zurich cell and that the Polanski was allowed to meet with his wife, French actress Emmanuelle Seigner.