After bail, Polanski to head to luxury Swiss ski resort

NEW YORK - Hollywood filmmaker Roman Polanski will spend his house arrest at a luxury Swiss ski resort, with officials insisting his imminent release from jail will be handled quickly and discreetly.

Polanski was arrested in Zurich Sep 26 on an international warrant relating to a 1977 charge of unlawful sex with an underage girl. He pleaded guilty but fled the US in 1978 before he could be sentenced.

The director was finally granted bail on Wednesday, after his three previous bids for freedom were rejected, and he is now being prepared for release after Swiss officials waived their right to appeal the decision, imdb.com reports.

A Swiss court said Wednesday that Polanski could be released from prison on bail of 4.5 million Swiss francs ($4.5 million), but must stay under house arrest.

Polanski’s sister-in-law, Mathilde Seigner, admits she is delighted the star will soon be free. “I am very happy and relieved. We’re going to drink a nice glass of champagne and toast together,” she told newspaper Le Parisien.

Authorities have refused to announce when the 76-year-old will be released, but a statement from the Swiss justice department on Thursday reveals preparations are underway.

The statement reads: “Polanski will be released from custody as soon as bail has been transferred, ID and travel documents have been lodged, and the electronic monitoring system has been installed and tested.”

Polanski will reportedly be transferred to his luxury ski chalet in the resort of Gstaad, where he will remain under house arrest until the Swiss government decides whether to allow an extradition request which will see him sent back to the US to receive his punishment.