Roman Polanski Free, Won't be Extradited to U.S.

Acclaimed director Roman Polanski is free to go following the Swiss government’s rejection of a request for his extradition to the U.S., the Associated Press reports.

The director (Rosemary’s Baby, The Pianist), who fled to France after being accused of drugging and raping an underage girl during a modeling shoot in 1977, was arrested in Switzerland in Sept. 2009 after he traveled there to accept an award for a film festival. Polanski had been under house arrest since December.

Following his arrest, Polanski’s crime and punishment became the subject of heated debate in Hollywood. More than 110 industry icons signed French film organization SACD’s petition for his release, including Martin Scorsese, Darren Aronofsky, Terry Gilliam, Wong Kar-Wai and Tilda Swinton. Other stars, including Bill Maher and Chris Rock, spoke in favor of his arrest.

Polanski’s latest film, The Ghost Writer, was released in the U.S. in March. He finished editing the film while under house arrest.

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