Swiss justice official says bail for director Roman Polanski ‘not entirely excluded’

Swiss justice official: bail for Polanski possible

ZURICH — The Swiss Justice Ministry says Roman Polanski could be released on bail under very strict conditions that he doesn’t flee Switzerland.

Spokesman Guido Balmer says such an arrangement is “not entirely excluded” under Swiss law and that Polanski can file a motion seeking his release on bail.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday in an interview with France-Inter radio that he hoped the 76-year-old director would be released.

Under Swiss law it seems an unlikely scenario unless Polanski agrees to forgo any challenge to his extradition to the United States for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.

Polanski was arrested Saturday as he arrived in Zurich to receive an award at a film festival.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ZURICH (AP) — A Zurich law firm says movie director Roman Polanski has hired a Swiss attorney to represent him while he is held in Swiss custody for possible extradition to the United States.

Eschmann & Erni secretary Gabriele Joesler says lawyer Lorenz Erni has been hired by Polanski, who is wanted by the U.S. for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.

The international tug-of-war over the 76-year-old director was expected to escalate Monday.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski told the Polish news agency PAP that he and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner would ask U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to offer Polanski clemency.

Polanski was arrested Saturday as he arrived in Zurich to receive an award at a film festival.