Polanski to Remain in Swiss Jail Until Friday

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GSTAAD, Switzerland, Dec. 1, 2009

The director of Saanenland Tourism, Roger Seifritz, also pledged discretion and staunch support for the filmmaker and his family. In a local magazine, he urged people to show "thought and responsibility" when dealing with outsiders or the press.

And it's not just glitzy Gstaad that Polanski draws support from… in a recent interview with a French publication, his sister-in-law, Mathilde Seigner, credited French President Nicolas Sarkozy with helping to arrange the release of the filmmaker from the Swiss prison.

"The president has been very effective," Seigner told Le Parisien newspaper, without going in to any details. Polanski took refuge in France after fleeing the U.S. but President Sarkozy was widely criticized for condemning the arrest in Switzerland this year since many believed it was about time that the director faced-up to his criminal past.

Was Polanski's Case Handled Improperly 30 Years Ago?

Polanski was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, molestation of a minor and sodomy, but only pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

Polanski has long accused the judge and prosecutors back in 1978 of acting improperly in the case. His lawyers will argue for the case to be dismissed before a California appeals court on December 10.