Cashless Polanski still in jail

Roman Polanski has not come up with $4.5 million bail to allow him to be moved to house arrest in his Swiss chalet, and will stay in jail till after the weekend, Swiss authorities said Friday.

Roman Polanski will not be released on bail before Monday, a Swiss justice ministry spokesman told AFP Friday, noting that authorities have not received the required bond of 4.5 million francs.

The film-maker, who has been hunted by the United States ever since he fled the country in 1978 after admitting unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl, was granted bail with an electronic tag on Wednesday as he awaits a ruling on a US extradition request. Related article: Key dates in the case.

The surprise decision by the Swiss prompted a quick reaction from Interpol, which called on governments to be vigilant in case the 76-year-old Polanski goes on the run again.

"He will not be transferred to Gstaad today or during the weekend," Folco Galli, Swiss justice ministry spokesman, told AFP, referring to the ski resort where Polanski will be under house arrest in his chalet named Milky Way.

Galli added that authorities have not received the bond of 4.5 million francs (4.5 million dollars, 3.0 million euros), which counts among bail conditions set by the court.

On Friday morning, Polanski's lawyer Lorenz Erni was seen entering the prison where Polanski is reportedly held in northern Zurich's Winterthur. He left over an hour later without speaking to reporters.

Polanski has been held over the past two months in a basic cell furnished with a table, a bed, a wall cupboard, a washbasin, a toilet and a television, Swiss daily Le Matin had earlier reported.

He has been given tracksuits to wear and five francs a day in pocket money, added the newspaper, citing unnamed sources.

In comparison, his large chalet is located in the chic ski resort of Gstaad, 1,050 metres (3,500 feet) up in the Swiss alps, with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

On Friday, the shutters remained down at the chalet. A man believed to be in charge of maintenance arrived and spent half an hour at the property.

A farmer, who lives just downhill, was the only person in the neighbouring area who would speak to journalists.

"The Swiss were not very nice to him (Polanski.) They invite him here to put him in prison," said the elderly farmer.

The Franco-Polish film director has never returned to the United States since fleeing three decades ago, even missing the Oscar award for his movie "The Pianist" in 2003.

Although he travelled regularly to his home in Gstaad, Polanski was arrested by Swiss police acting on a US warrant only on September 26, when he arrived at Zurich airport to attend a film festival where he was to receive a special award.

The United States has formally asked Switzerland to extradite Polanski but Swiss authorities said Thursday the request is still being examined.

Granting bail on Wednesday, Switzerland's top criminal court said that the bond offered by Polanski together with such supporting measures as deposit of identity papers and house arrest under electronic monitoring were "sufficient to avert the risk of flight."

Polanski cleared another hurdle a day later, when the Swiss justice ministry said it would not challenge the court's decision, and that it was preparing to release the film-maker.

In reaction Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble said, "Mr Polanski has given us more than 30 years of proof that he does not feel bound to respect any court decision with which he does not agree.

"Given Mr Polanski's history of international travel while defying a judicial order, a 4.5 million dollar bail and an electronic bracelet does not mean that law enforcement lets its global guard down," he warned in a statement.

"If Mr Polanski defies the conditions of his release, no country should welcome, offer safe haven to, or defend his conduct."

Interpol issued a reminder to its 188 member countries that Polanski remains subject to a "Red Notice", or international wanted persons notice, and should be arrested if he attempts to travel.