PARIS, September 27 (RIA Novosti) - France's culture minister said on Sunday he was shocked by Roman Polanski's arrest in Switzerland and regrets the famed film director had to undergo a new 'ordeal.'
Polanski, 76, was arrested by Swiss police on Saturday for possible extradition to the United States for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. Polanski arrived in Switzerland for the Zurich Film Festival.
The Culture Ministry quoted Frederic Mitterrand in a statement as saying that he was shocked to learn about action taken against Roman Polanski, an internationally known film director and French national.
Mitterrand is in contact with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is following the case with great attention and hopes the situation will be resolved soon, the statement said.
He also said he regrets a man, who has already experienced many ordeals, has to undergo a new one.
Born in France, Polanski was taken to Poland by his parents. His mother died at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp during WWII. In 1969, Polanski lost his pregnant wife, who along with four other people was murdered by Charles Manson's followers.
Polanski's classic films include Rosemary's Baby (1968) and Chinatown released in 1974. He received his Oscar for directing the 2002 The Pianist six months after the Academy Awards ceremony.
Polanski fled the United States in 1978 to avoid a prison sentence for an unlawful sexual intercourse with Samantha Geimer after pleading guilty to the charge. In recent years, he has tried to have the rape case dismissed, but a U.S. judge rejected his requests in May. Polanski was reported to have reached a settlement with Geimer in 1997.
He will not be sent to the U.S. until extradition proceedings are complete, and he can challenge the arrest and the possible extradition decision in Swiss courts, media reports said citing Swiss authorities.
