Polanski moved from prison to undisclosed location for 'security reasons'
Roman Polanski has been moved from a Swiss jail to an undisclosed location in apparent anticipation of his release Friday on $4.5-million bail.
A spokesman for the Justice Ministry told the Associated Press that the famed director was moved for "security reasons and personal protection," but would not elaborate or say where the director was staying.
Officials have said Polanski will be released to his Alpine chalet on Friday at 1 p.m. local time. Arrangements for an electronic security system to monitor Polanski's movements were completed Tuesday, according to Swiss news reports.
Police in Gstaad said they might block traffic and restrict access into Polanski's neighborhood if the news media proved disruptive. A court will eventually rule whether Polanski should be extradited to Los Angeles to face sentencing for having illegal sex with a 13-year-old more than three decades ago. Swiss justice officials repeatedly had denied his bail requests, saying he was a flight risk.
Under the terms of the bail, Polanski, 76, will have his phone calls monitored as well. Gstaad, a village of 2,500 with mountain views, has long been known as a celebrity hangout, having been home to Elizabeth Taylor, Roger Moore and David Niven, among others.
-- Shelby Grad
Photo: Director Roman Polanski. Credit: Los Angeles Times archives.
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
Has Mr Polanski had any treatment over the years for his pedophilia? You have to wonder how many other victims there were over the years...
Posted by: Terry | December 03, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Polanski has probably been moved to a five star hotel somewhere in Zurich. But what do you expect after paying a $4.5 million bribe? The Swiss are master bankers, and know exactly how much they can make investing that "bail" money. I'll bet not a penny of it is ever returned.
Posted by: mizzle | December 03, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Well, that's the last we'll see of him! Swiss fathers, lock up your 13-year-old Swiss daughters!
Posted by: Ted | December 03, 2009 at 09:37 AM
This is the prelude to him jumping bail and getting to a sfe haven where he'll never be held accountable for his actions.
Posted by: Norman Silver | December 03, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I suggest a shorter, more accurate way to describe a 44-year-old having "illegal sex" with a 13-year-old: call it "rape".
Posted by: Graham Freeman | December 03, 2009 at 11:13 AM
The rich get to play games with the legal system on two continents.
Posted by: joe | December 03, 2009 at 12:11 PM
You go Roman!!!!!
Posted by: dry | December 04, 2009 at 03:07 PM
If he does not go to jail for his rape of a 13 year old girl. WE will petition the courts to free everyone in jail for a similar crime.
Posted by: Andrew Mackenzie | December 07, 2009 at 01:23 PM