Polanski to Take Case to Highest Swiss Court

21 October 2009

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Imprisoned director Roman Polanski is to take his bid for freedom to the highest court in Switzerland after officials in the country rejected his latest bail request.

The moviemaker, who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in the U.S. but fled to France in 1978 before he could be sentenced, has been behind bars since he was arrested last month (Sep09) as he travelled to a film festival in Zurich.

He is currently awaiting a decision on whether he will be extradited back to the U.S. to receive his punishment.

We will seek to demonstrate that there is no risk in ordering Roman Polanski's release. (We will) provide even stronger and more suitable guarantees

Polanski was first denied bail at the beginning of the month (Oct09) after authorities ruled he was at risk of absconding.

His second appeal for freedom was turned down by the Swiss Criminal Court on Tuesday (20Oct09).

The Oscar-winner's lawyers have vowed to fight on, insisting they will take the case to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland - the country'shighest tribunal.

Polanski's lawyer, Herve Temime, says, "We will seek to demonstrate that there is no risk in ordering Roman Polanski's release. (We will) provide even stronger and more suitable guarantees".

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