Oscar winning filmmaker held for sex with minor

Zurich, Sep 28: Polish-French filmmaker, Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on Saturday, Sep 26, for having unlawful sex with an underaged girl.

According to a statement issued by Zurich Film Festival on Sunday, Sep 27, the Oscar winning filmmaker was arrested on a US arrest warrant which was issued in 1978.

Polanski, who was going to receive the prize for his life's work at the Film Festival on Sunday, Sep 28, was detained by the police upon his entry at Zurich Airport.

"His detention is linked to the demand by US-authorities to a warrant for his arrest in 1978," the statement read, adding that the festival directors have received this news with great consternation and shock. The festival has decided to go ahead with the tribute to Polanski.

Polanski was arrested in 1970 and detained for 42 days in a prison where he underwent psychiatric tests. But he had fled the country before the sentence.

He was charged with giving drugs and alcohol to a 13-year-old girl and having unlawful sex with her at a photo session at Jack Nicholson's Hollywood home. However, Polanski maintained that girl was sexually experienced and had consented to sex.

OneIndia News