Decision on Polanski nears

Swiss justice officials said they would decide within the next few weeks whether to allow Roman Polanski to go free on bail.

Polanski is behind bars in a Zurich prison, awaiting possible extradition to Los Angeles to face sentencing after he pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl more than 30 years ago. Polanski fled the country just before sentencing from a judge that the director felt was treating him unfairly. Polanski has said he would fight extradition.

“A decision on the matter will probably be issued in the next two to three weeks,” Mascia Gregori Al-Barafi told the AFP news agency.

Swiss officials have said Polanski would face up to two years in prison if he returned to Los Angeles.

-- Shelby Grad