ROMAN POLANSKI'S ARREST SET IN MOTION BY SWISS OFFICIALS

ROMAN POLANSKI's arrest in Switzerland last month was set in motion by Swiss authorities who tipped off U.S. officials about his trip.

The moviemaker, who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in the U.S. but fled to France in 1978 before he could be sentenced, has been behind bars since he was arrested as he travelled to a film festival in Zurich to pick up an award.

He is currently awaiting a decision on whether he will be extradited back to America to receive his punishment.

Polanski has appealed for bail twice but has been turned down both times.

Documents obtained by the Associated Press reveal officials at the Swiss Federal Office of Justice sent an urgent fax to the U.S. Office of International Affairs on 22 September (09) informing them the director was expected to travel to Zurich.

In the series of emails obtained under a public records request, Swiss authorities asked if American officials would be submitting a request for Polanski's arrest.

Following the tip-off, federal officials then alerted the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, who drafted an arrest warrant.

The filmmaker was detained on 26 September (09) when he arrived in the country to pick up his lifetime achievement prize.