Polanski attends jazz festival

MONTREUX, Switzerland, July 19 (UPI) -- Filmmaker Roman Polanski was seen making his first public appearance since Swiss officials released him from house arrest last week.

The BBC said reporters surrounded Polanski when he went to see his wife, actress and singer Emmanuelle Seigner, perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland during the weekend.

Polanski did not speak to the media or appear on stage during the event, the British broadcaster said.

Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in 1977, but fled the United States before he could be sentenced and has been living in Europe since.

He was accused of drugging and raping 13-year-old Samantha Geimer, who as an adult in recent years has asked prosecutors to drop the matter so she could move on with her life. She accepted a settlement from Polanski in a civil lawsuit, but is not permitted to discuss the terms.

Officials in Switzerland announced last week they would not approve a U.S. request for Polanski's extradition to be sentenced.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker had been under house arrest in Switzerland since December 2009, while authorities decided whether to comply with the request. Once officials said they would not allow the extradition he was released from house arrest.