Renowned film director Roman Polanski: A crime committed in

the wake of the murder by the Manson family of his pregnant

wife, Sharon Tate, has come back to haunt him, 30 years later.

 

 

Le Temps, Switzerland

After UBS Debacle, Polanski Affair a New Black Eye for Swiss

 

"The arrest has raised consternation and incomprehension, both in Switzerland and abroad. … many have been surprised at Switzerland's bold compliance with the demands of American justice."

 

EDITORIAL

 

Translated By Philippe Guittard

 

September 28, 2009

 

Switzerland - Le Temps - Original Article (French)

Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Swiss justice minister and member of that country's Executive, the Federal Council: Why did she decide to arrest Polanski now - since the filmmaker has had a home there for years? Controversy swirls ...   BBC NEWS VIDEO: Outcry over Polanski detention, Sept. 28, 00:01:46

On Saturday, September 26, the Zurich Police arrested Roman Polanski upon his arrival at the airport, executing an international arrest warrant issued against him by the United States for a sexual act with a minor of thirteen years - a crime that dates back to 1977.

 

The arrest has raised consternation and incomprehension, both in Switzerland and abroad. Since Roman Polanski owns a chalet in Gstaad, a place he regularly frequents, many have been surprised at Switzerland's bold compliance with the demands of American justice.

 

Defenders of the filmmaker, considering the case largely closed, haven't failed to recall that the victim, now married and a mother, publicly forgave Polanski and has asked that the judiciary close the matter.  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

According to Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, justice minister and member of the Swiss Federal Council, there's no reason not to execute a valid arrest warrant, whether it concerns an average citizen or a celebrity. The director's situation has apparently changed since May 7, 2009, which was the deadline granted Polanski to appear before a court in Los Angeles. Which he did not.

 

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:    

Nachrichten, Switzerland: Is Switzerland the 51st State?

Krakow Post , Poland: Poles Hold Rally to Defend Filmmaker Roman Polanski

The Times, U.K.: France Appeals to Hillary on Behalf of Roman Polanski  

Financial Times: Nicolas Sarkozy Wants 'Resolution' to Polanski Arrest  

The Telegraph U.K.: Polanski's 'Victim' Wants Charges Dropped

The Telegraph U.K.: Roman Polanski's Wikipedia Page Frozen After 'Editing War'  

 

 

Lastly, can anyone overlook the sensitivity and unexpected outcry this arrest involves, and the damage it cannot help but inflict on Switzerland's image, after its international relations have been so tarnished by affairs involving Qaddafi and UBS?

 

[Editor's Note: Rumors are circulating that the Swiss agreed to arrest Polanski as part of a quid pro quo relating to the Union Bank of Switzerland. UBS admitted in February that it helped thousands of American citizens evade paying taxes and is still in negotiations about handing over details of secret accounts to the IRS.]

 

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US September 28, 5:45pm]