Anger in France and Poland after Polanski arrest

[Liberal_in_LA]

Anger in France and Poland after Polanski arrest
Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:42pm EDT

* French politicians seek release of Polanski

* Artists question Swiss motives for arresting director

* Poland considers appealing to United States

By Crispian Balmer

PARIS, Sept 27 (Reuters) - France's political elite rallied to the defence of Roman Polanski on Sunday, calling on Switzerland to free the 76-year-old film director rather than extradite him to the United States. Artists and film makers also urged the release of Polanski, who faces charges of having sex with a girl of 13 in 1977, accusing Switzerland of being overzealous in pursuing the case.

Polanski was due to receive a prize for his life's work at the Zurich Film Festival on Sunday, but was arrested on a 1978 U.S. arrest warrant after arriving in Switzerland on Saturday.

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand said he was "stunned" by the news, adding that both he and French President Nicolas Sarkozy wanted to see the acclaimed director returned swiftly to his family.

"(Mitterrand) profoundly regrets that a new ordeal is being inflicted on someone who has already known so many during his life," the culture ministry said in a statement.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner also issued a statement, saying he had spoken to his Swiss counterpart to demand that Polanski's rights were fully respected and that a "favourable" solution be rapidly found.

http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSLR8949520090927

[hlthe2b]

1. I hope we don't encounter a roud of Anti-French and Polish sentiments

as a result of their interventions. Obviously, we will among RW Freeper types. But, I hope DUers will refrain, even if they are resolute in the belief that Polanski deserves jail--regardless of any mitigating factors.

[Alenne]

2. Polanski should have settled this decades ago. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. agree. instead he's spent 31 years as a fugitive