Swiss admit taking lead in Polanksi arrest

Swiss justice officials laid the ground for the arrest of film director Roman Polanski, it was confirmed today.

They tipped off the United States, where he is wanted for a decades-old child sex case, that he was due to arrive in the country.

A Justice Ministry spokesman said officials followed the proper police procedure for when a wanted individual is expected in Switzerland.

“An arrest is a big operation,” he said. “If we know a wanted individual is coming, we always ask if the arrest warrant is valid.”

According to emails, the Swiss ministry sent an urgent fax to the US Office of International Affairs on September 22 stating Polanski was travelling to Zurich. The director was to be feted at a film festival, and Swiss officials wanted to know if the US would be submitting a request for his arrest as he was the subject of an international law enforcement “Red Notice.”

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The Americans immediately confirmed that was the case,” the spokesman said.

As a result, Switzerland was required by treaty to apprehend Polanski, he said.

The spokesman also explained why authorities decided to go after Polanski now, even though the 76-year-old filmmaker has been a frequent visitor to Switzerland, where he owns an Alpine chalet.

Unlike his previous visits, Polanski’s appearance at this time was widely advertised, with the Zurich Film Festival promoting its upcoming tribute to the director of “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Chinatown” and “The Pianist” on its website.

Several Swiss politicians and commentators have argued that Switzerland may have co-operated too eagerly.