Movie director Roman Polanski has been granted $4.5 million bail by a Swiss Criminal Court judge and will be held under house arrest with electronic monitoring instead of jail. He will have to remain in Switzerland until authorities rule on his extradition to the United States.In the U.S. Polanski faces charges of having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
Polanski put up his Paris apartment as bond for the $4.5 million bail. He will be held under house arrest at his Swiss Alpine chalet.
"The 76-year-old appellant is married and the father of two minors," the court said. "It can be assumed that as a responsible father he will, especially in view of his advanced age, attach greater importance to the financial security of his family than a younger person."
Still Considered a Flight Risk
The court said it still considered Polanski a high flight risk and he will be subjected to constant electronic surveillance at his chalet.
Polanski was arrested in Zurich on Sept. 26 when he arrived to accept a film festival award. He has been a fugitive from the United States since Feb. 1, 1978.
He was originally charged with six felony counts in connection with the rape of the 13-year-old. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. Under the plea agreement, Polanski was sent to prison for 90 days to receive a psychiatric evaluation.
The evaluator released him after 42 days, but the judge planned to send him back to serve out the entire 90-day sentence. That's when Polanski fled the country and established residency in France.
Polanski directed the movies "Rosemary's Baby," "Chinatown" and "The Pianist."
See Also:
Polanski Wins $4.5M Bail, House Arrest Likely
Earlier Article:
Roman Polanski Arrested in Switzerland
See Also:
Polanski Detained in Switzerland Over Underage Sex Case
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