The Swiss Justice Ministry has rejected an appeal from Roman Polanski to be released from prison pending his possible extradition to the United States. The government believes there is a high risk that Polanski might flee if released from custody, a military spokesman tells the AP. The appeal is separate from a court case Polanski's legal team filed last week that also seeks the 76-year-old director's freedom.
Polanski was apprehended Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive an award from a film festival. US authorities asked for his arrest and want him extradited for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl. (More Roman Polanski stories.)