Gstaad, Switzerland: Film director Roman Polanski was released on bail into house arrest on Friday, authorities said, following his arrest after fleeing US sentencing for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
A police cordon kept around 200 journalists waiting for Polanski's arrival away from his luxury chalet in icy conditions in the upmarket Swiss ski resort of Gstaad.
"Roman Polanski was today (Friday) released from custody pending extradition and transferred to Gstaad, where he is under house arrest at his chalet. Polanski has undertaken not to leave his house and property at any time," the Swiss government said in a statement.
The 76-year-old Oscar-winning director, who holds dual French and Polish citizenship, was arrested at the request of the United States when he flew into Switzerland on Sept. 26 to receive a lifetime achievement prize at a film festival.
Polanski pleaded guilty to having sex with the girl but fled the United States on the eve of his 1978 sentencing because he believed a judge might overrule his plea and put him in jail for 50 years.
Polanski's films include The Pianist in 2002 for which he won an Academy Award, Rosemary's Baby, Repulsion and Knife in the Water.
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