Sarkozy whips Swiss justice for arresting Roman PolanskiIndia News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Nicolas Sarkozy has openly supported the release of film director Roman Polanski, who has been detained on charges of having unlawful sex with a minor in late 1970s, saying that a 76-year-old man should not be brought to book 32 years after he committed the crime. The French President has espoused the cause, which has drawn major supporters from Hollywood. The Daily Express quoted Sarkozy as telling Le Figaro: "I understand that people are shocked by the gravity of the accusations against Roman Polanski, but... it is not a good administration of justice to do this 32 years after the facts when the person concerned is today 76 years old." The Rosemary's Baby director presently under arrest in Zurich, Switzerland is fighting his extradition to the US following his arrest on an American warrant last month. Polanski had fled to France in 1978 as he was about to be sentenced for having illegal intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.