Geneva, October 06: The Swiss Justice Ministry says it will decide this week whether to grant a request from Roman Polanski to be released from prison.
Ministry spokesman Folco Galli says the appeal by Polanski’s legal team is separate from a court case it filed last week that also seeks Polanski’s freedom, possibly on bail or under house arrest in Switzerland.
Polanski was arrested Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive an award from a film festival.
U.S. authorities asked for the 76-year-old’s apprehension and want him extradited for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.
Galli said Tuesday that Polanski would be immediately released if he wins his appeal to the Swiss Justice Ministry.
Legal experts say Polanski’s chances of a speedy release are slim.
—Agencies