Polanski's bail bid denied again

ZURICH, Switzerland, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Imprisoned French-born film director Roman Polanski is not to be released on bail pending extradition, the Swiss Criminal Court said Tuesday.

Polanski's request to be granted bail was first denied two weeks ago by a judge in Bern, Switzerland.

Polanski, 76, was arrested Sept. 26 in Zurich in connection with a 1977 child-sex case in Los Angeles.

The famous filmmaker, who lives in France but was in Switzerland to attend a film festival, has not traveled to the United States since he pleaded guilty in a Los Angeles court to having unlawful sex with a minor and then fled the country before he could be sentenced. He was accused of drugging and raping Samantha Geimer when she was 13.

Polanski's lawyers have alleged misconduct on the part of the Los Angeles criminal justice system at the time of the plea deal. They are fighting extradition from Switzerland to the United States.

CNN said the Swiss Criminal Court denied Polanski's bid for bail Tuesday, explaining it feels revoking Polanski's passport and ordering him to report daily to the police would not ensure the filmmaker wouldn't again go on the run.

Polanski reportedly underwent medical tests at a Zurich hospital during the weekend. It was unclear what the tests are for or when he will be transferred back to prison.