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Roman Polanski collects Zurich Film Festival award after two-year wait

Film director Roman Polanski collected his lifetime achievement award from the Zurich Film Festival on Tuesday, two years after he was arrested over child sex charges on his way to accept the prize. Police intercepted Polanski at Zurich airport in September 2009. He was imprisoned and then held under house arrest until Swiss authorities decided in 2010 not to extradite him to the United States. As he accepted his prize on Tuesday, he said, "Better late than never". (SF/swissinfo.ch)

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Polanski finally makes it to Zurich festival

This content was published on In 2009 the Oscar-winning Franco-Polish filmmaker was arrested at Zurich airport en route to the ceremony in connection with a 1977 child rape case in the United States. The move caused an international media and cinema world furore – and turned the spotlight on the film festival. Polanski was later placed under house arrest in…

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Polanski visits Montreux Jazz Festival

This content was published on Polanski, 76, was detained last September in Zurich – where he was to receive a film festival award – on the basis of a United States request concerning a long-standing sex case. The film director had been under house arrest in his Gstaad chalet until it was announced on July 12 that the Swiss had…

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Swiss press divided over Polanski release

This content was published on However, most of their German-speaking colleagues consider the decision a political act – despite the justice minister’s denials – and are concerned by the special treatment reserved for a celebrity. “Should we be happy about the release of Roman Polanski?” asked Lausanne’s Le Matin. “Yes. For us, the affair is over and Switzerland can lift…

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR