Thaindian News

Zurich, Sep 29 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Noted director Polanski who was arrested in the last week, while he was going to Switzerland to collect an award, over a crime that he committed in the US in 1978.

Lawyers for Roman Polanski filed a motion in court Tuesday asking that the director be released from Swiss custody - the first step in his long drawn legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States for a 1977 statutory rape case.

The Swiss Federal Criminal Court announced the filing and said, “The decision will be made within the next weeks.” That statement meant the 76-year-old filmmaker is not expected to be freed anytime soon from prison, as he would stay incarcerated through the verdict and through any appeal from either side.

That criminal court will decide on the legality of the American request for Polanski’s apprehension, Swiss Justice Ministry spokesman Guido Balmer told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He noted that the Justice Ministry and Polanski could later seek to overturn any decision at the Federal Tribunal, Switzerland’s highest court.

Meanwhile his actress wife Emmanuelle Seigner has begun compiling a petition calling for his release from prison.

Emmanuelle - who has spoken to her husband while he resides in a Swiss jail - is hoping A-list stars and other important figures in the film industry will sign the petition and make their case strong.

A source said: “Emmanuelle is outraged. She is rallying friends and colleagues from many years in the film industry.”

British director Stephen Frears, actress Monica Bellucci and writer Robert Harris have already spoken out in support and Emmanuelle is convinced more stars will show their support.