Geneva - Film director Roman Polanski filed a formal appeal with a Swiss court Tuesday against the arrest order for his extradition to the United States. Polanski was arrested late Saturday at Zurich airport on a warrant dating from a 1977 California case in which he pleaded guilty to unlawful intercourse with a 13-year-old girl he had plied with champagne and sedatives.
The Swiss court confirmed receiving the appeal and expected a decision "within the coming weeks."
There remained a chance the film maker could be released on bail, officials have said, but the terms would have to ensure he stayed in the country. Justice ministry officials say bail is not commonly granted in Switzerland.
Polanski, in addition to his legal team in France, has taken a Swiss lawyer, who has declined to comment to reporters on the case.
Meanwhile, Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey backed the arrest, saying it was the authorities' responsibility to act on the existing warrant. However, in line with some criticisms in the media, balked at the manner in which it was carried out.
Polanski arrived in Zurich for a film festival at which he was to receive an honour.
Calmy-Rey said it might be seen as "unfriendly" to arrest someone who was coming to such an event and that the police action perhaps "lacked tact."
While Polanski has been to Switzerland in the past, police and justice ministry officials say they did not previously have the exact information on his plans, as was available on Saturday.
