Washington, November 28 (ANI): Acclaimed director Roman Polanski received preferential treatment when jailed in Switzerland, his former cellmate has claimed.

The filmmaker was put behind bars in September over 32-year-old child sex case and is presently battling extradition to the U.S.

The 76-year-old was recently granted a bail request and allowed to spend Christmas and the New Year under house arrest in Gstaad, reports Contactmusic.

His former cellmate, Yussi Akram has alleged that the exiled star was given preferential treatment and allowed to make frequent calls to his wife and attorneys.

Akram further told a Swiss radio station that Polanski’s cell was equipped with a special emergency button he could use to summon guards.

Polanski was found guilty of molesting a 13-year-old girl at a Hollywood party in 1977. He fled to Paris, France on the eve of sentencing in 1978. (ANI)